NFL Injury Report: Browns Start Shedeur Sanders Against Saints

Deshaun Watson entered the NFL's concussion protocol on Tuesday morning, forcing the Cleveland Browns to activate Shedeur Sanders for the Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints. The 5-3 Browns announced the move after Watson reported new symptoms to team doctors late Monday night. This decision removes the veteran starter from the lineup for the upcoming Sunday game.

Watson initially passed a concussion evaluation following a helmet-to-helmet collision with Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker during Sunday's 27-6 loss in Pittsburgh. The hit was flagged during the play, but a spotter signaled for Watson to be checked on the sideline. Watson left the field briefly, allowing Sanders to enter for a short stint before the starter returned to the game. Despite the injury concerns, Watson completed for 324 passing yards, though he was sacked eight times and did not throw a touchdown.

Cleveland followed league rules by evaluating Watson for concussion symptoms both after the game and again on Monday morning. The team placed him in the protocol immediately after he communicated his recurring symptoms to medical staff on Tuesday. Should Watson remain inactive, Sanders will assume the starting quarterback role for the first time since losing the offseason competition to Watson.

At 24 years old, Sanders has limited experience in the current season's offense. He has appeared in two games this year for a total of five snaps, completing three of his passes for two yards. This marks a shift from his previous season, when he started seven games and appeared in eight total contests. In 2025, Sanders completed 56.6% of his attempts, throwing seven touchdown passes against 10 interceptions.

Sanders finished last among 36 quarterbacks with at least 200 pass attempts in completion percentage, touchdown-to-interception rate, and passer rating last year. However, his current supporting cast offers improvements over the previous campaign. The Browns have strengthened their offensive line and wide receiver corps, with rookies Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion providing reliable targets. New Orleans presents a favorable matchup, as the Saints' defense ranks 28th in the league in both yards per play and yards per game.

The transition places Sanders in a different offensive environment than the one he navigated last season. The team's upgrades on the offensive front aim to mitigate the struggles that saw him finish at the bottom of key statistical categories among his peers. The Saints' defensive metrics suggest a lower pressure environment for the backup quarterback, who will now take the field for the decisive Week 9 matchup.