Browns QB Deshaun Watson mysteriously entered concussion protocol earlier this week. Will he be able to play in Week 9 vs. Saints?
The Cleveland Browns were dealt a surprising quarterback injury this week. Deshaun Watson suddenly entered concussion protocol on Tuesday, which put his ability to play in Week 9 into question. Will he be able to convince the Browns that he is healthy enough to play on Sunday?
Watson has already cleared concussion protocol but will not play in Week 9, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport. He only practiced one time and will instead cede starting reps to Shedeur Sanders.
Cleveland will have Dillon Gabriel serve as the backup quarterback behind Sanders, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The Browns do expect Watson to resume starting duties in Week 10 against the Texans.
Watson apparently suffered his concussion when taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter in Week 8. He was pulled from the game, checked for a concussion and cleared to return. The Browns also had their medical staff check in with Watson on Monday, but he did not have symptoms then either.
However, Watson told Cleveland’s medical team on Tuesday morning that he began experiencing concussion symptoms on Monday night. He was then immediately placed on concussion protocol.
On one hand, it is great to hear that Watson has already cleared concussion protocol. That suggests his injury was not that severe considering he cleared the protocol in less than a week. That said, missing Watson for even one game could contribute to the Browns falling behind in the AFC North division race.
Cleveland is 5-3 after getting smacked around by Pittsburgh in Week 8. They are still very much alive in the division race, but they need to start stacking wins again soon. There’s no better time to start than in Week 9, especially when going up against a young quarterback in Tyler Shough.
Browns at Saints kicks off at 1 p.m. ET from Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The Cleveland Browns were dealt a surprising quarterback injury this week. Deshaun Watson suddenly entered concussion protocol on Tuesday, which put his ability to play in Week 9 into question. Will he be able to convince the Browns that he is healthy enough to play on Sunday?
