Browns Announce Deshaun Watson Update Before Saints Game

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Browns Announce Deshaun Watson Update Before Saints Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew Hughes | Last updated Nov 7, 2026 6:53 PM ET

Deshaun Watson took a step forward Saturday, though not far enough to change the Cleveland Browns’ plan. The veteran quarterback cleared the concussion protocol, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert , but he remains questionable for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

Shedeur Sanders is still the starter. Todd Monken made that call on Friday , and Sanders took all of the first-team reps in practice this week after Watson self-reported concussion symptoms Tuesday morning. ESPN noted it’s unclear whether Watson, Dillon Gabriel or Taylen Green will serve as the backup at the Caesars Superdome.

Why the Browns aren’t rushing Watson back

Watson has completed 65.5% of his passes for 1,806 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions for the 5-3 Browns. Staying upright has been the harder part. Pittsburgh’s Jaquan Brisker was fined $17,911 for roughing Watson on a blitz in the Nov. 1 loss. Watson passed his evaluations that day, then told the medical staff Tuesday that symptoms had started Monday night.

The sack numbers stand out. By our count, Watson has been sacked 33 times on 282 dropbacks this season, an 11.7% rate. Sanders went down 23 times on 235 dropbacks in 2025, a 9.8% rate, behind a different version of the same line.

Sanders went 3-4 in seven starts last season, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has thrown only three passes this season, and the Saints’ defense already took his words as chirping this week.

After New Orleans, the Browns host the Houston Texans before their bye. Clearing the protocol keeps Watson in line for that game, and Sunday gives Monken a full look at Sanders as the starter before he has to decide who takes the snaps against Houston.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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