Shedeur Sanders could get the start in Week 9 against the Saints with Watson's status uncertain.
Deshaun Watson is in the concussion protocol, the Browns announced Wednesday morning, putting his availability for Sunday's game against the Saints in doubt.
The team said Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to the Steelers. An ATC spotter flagged the hit, and the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant administered a gameday concussion evaluation. Watson was cleared and returned for Cleveland's next offensive series.
Per the Browns' statement, the team's medical staff evaluated Watson again after the game and on Monday morning. He showed no symptoms and passed both evaluations. He was then placed in the protocol on Tuesday morning.
With Watson's status uncertain, Shedeur Sanders is positioned for a potential start against New Orleans, a chance to see extended work after limited snaps so far this season.