The Cleveland Browns suddenly have an uncertain quarterback situation ahead of their Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints because starter Deshaun Watson has entered the NFL concussion protocol three days after his last game.
The Browns released a statement Wednesday morning explaining how Watson is now in the league’s head trauma protocol:
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“During the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Steelers, Deshaun took a helmet-to-helmet hit. The ATC spotter called down to the sideline, and the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) administered a gameday concussion evaluation.
“Deshaun was cleared by the UNC and returned on the Browns’ next offensive series. As part of the protocol, the team’s medical staff evaluated him again postgame and Monday morning. Both times he showed no symptoms, passed his evaluations, and was cleared.
“On Tuesday morning, he reported to the medical staff that he began experiencing concussion symptoms Monday night and was immediately placed in the concussion protocol.”
Delayed concussion symptoms are not unheard of but far from typical, particularly in the NFL because the focus on players and testing is so intense.
With their starting quarterback in the concussion protocol, the Browns have decisions to make about what happens next at that spot.
Browns backup Shedeur Sanders will presumably get the starter’s repetitions in practice as preparations for the Saints begin.
Watson will remain in the concussion protocol until he clears the various steps and that typically takes multiple days, which is the reason there is uncertainty about a starter for the Saints game.
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Unofficial concussion statistics point to quarterbacks entering the protocol missing at least one game over 70 percent of the time.
So, Sanders is looking like he’s in line to start unless the Cleveland coaching staff decides to pivot to third-stringer Dillon Gabriel.
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Sanders, by the way, hired a new agent weeks ago as part of a move to possibly get traded after Watson solidified himself as the Browns starter.
For the 5–3 Browns, this is a significant development.
Despite being 3-0 at home, the club is in third place in the AFC North behind the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals and cannot afford to fall much further behind in the chase for a playoff berth.