The Browns announced Wednesday morning that QB Deshaun Watson is in the concussion protocol. The timing of his start there makes it unlikely that Watson will be ready to play this Sunday in New Orleans.
What They Say
Team statement: “During the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Steelers, Deshaun took a helmet-to-helmet hit. The ATC spotter called to the sideline, and the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) performed a gameday concussion evaluation. Deshaun was cleared by UNC and returned to the Browns on the next offensive series. With no symptoms, passed his tests, and was cleared on Tuesday morning, he reported to medical staff that he began experiencing of concussion symptoms Monday night and was immediately placed in the concussion protocol.
(No word on whether the Eagles training staff called to say Watson should go ahead and fly to London and play a game.)
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Don’t Expect Huge Differences
Most teams will feel the loss of their starting QB more than Cleveland probably will.
Watson was good enough to keep the Browns from moving on Shedeur Sanders, but he wasn’t “good enough.”
Of the 35 QBs with at least 100 dropbacks, Watson ranks:
- 24th in adjusted completion rate
- 18th in passer rating
- 14th in yards per attempt
- 30th in TD rate
- 20th in catchable-throw rate
- 26th in completion percentage than expected
- 35th in sack rate
That sack rate (11.7%) is even higher than the 9.8% Sanders posted as a rookie. Getting too many sacks has always been an issue for Watson; That’s a smaller issue for Sanders, though.
Some may think this is Cleveland’s opening to return to a QB with more upside. But if you’re in that camp, you’re ignoring how Sanders actually played last year.
Of the 38 QBs who dropped at least 200 times, he ranked:
- 37th in adjusted completion rate
- 38th in passer rating (behind JJ McCarthy)
- 30th in yards per attempt
- 35th in TD rate
- 36th in catchable-throw rate
- 37th in CPOE (leading only teammate Dillon Gabriel)
- 34th in sack rate
Given all those numbers and the fact that HC Todd Monken started Watson over Sanders this season, it’s likely a downgrade. But we’ll give Sanders some benefit of the doubt because this year’s Browns WR corps is stronger than last year’s.
The draft landed first-rounder KC Concepcion and second-rounder Denzel Boston, who are currently third and first on the team in targets and second and third in catches.
Ultimately, you shouldn’t make any significant changes to your Week 9 Browns expectations if Sanders starts instead of Watson. The Cleveland QB remains someone you should expect to avoid, and the pass catchers remain decent fantasy options in a non-terrifying matchup.