Deshaun Watson update raises questions about Browns QB room

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Deshaun Watson cleared to return but won't start, raising questions about Browns' QB room

By Steven Kubitza | Last updated Nov 7, 2026 2:27 PM ET

The Cleveland Browns shared a surprising injury update earlier in the week. Deshaun Watson began to suffer concussion-related symptoms days after a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He thus entered the NFL's concussion protocol, leading to Shedeur Sanders being named the starter for Sunday's showdown with the New Orleans Saints.

The latest update on Watson's health raises several questions about the quarterback situation in Cleveland.

Deshaun Watson cleared to return to active roster

Watson has reportedly cleared the concussion protocol and is listed as questionable for Sunday, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

#Browns QB Deshaun Watson has also cleared concussion protocol and remains questionable. Shedeur Sanders will start.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 7, 2026

An initial question raised by this news has to do with why Watson is not starting after being cleared. He has started every game this season, and while his play has not been stellar, there has not been talk of benching him in favor of Sanders.

The likely reality is that the team is playing it safe with the $230 million man amid a solid 5-3 start to the season.

Whom head coach Todd Monken chooses to be Sanders' backup will reveal the truth of the matter. Choosing Dillon Gabriel shows that the team is indeed being cautious with Watson after his concussion.

However, going with Watson as the backup may lead to chatter of him staying in that role if Sanders has a big day.

ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi provided the logic behind the decision from Monken's point of view.

Because, according to Todd Monken, it’s difficult for a QB to play without getting any practice reps in team drills. https://t.co/B9oplpPJ2P
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) November 7, 2026

Monken believes Watson will not be ready to start after missing practice this week. That raises more questions of how that can be the case with the veteran signal-caller at this stage of his career.

Plenty of teams around the NFL would place the starter back into that role if cleared. Yet it's possible Monken wants one game to see what Sanders can do after losing the quarterback competition over the summer.

Sanders has already dropped a hype video for his start, so his fans and haters alike will be tuned in to see how he plays in New Orleans.

Steven Kubitza

Steven Kubitza is a Cleveland, Ohio, native with over a decade in the news industry. His work has been featured on Yahoo Sports, FOX Sports, and FanSided, among other outlets. He is a lifelong Browns fan who is convinced the team will turn things around at some point in the next 50 years. Steven can be found on social media @kubitzawrites

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