NEW ORLEANS ― Deshaun Watson has cleared concussion protocol. What it means for his status for the Browns‘ Nov. 8 game at the New Orleans Saints remains to be seen.
Browns coach Todd Monken has already said that Shedeur Sanders would start against the Saints. However, he wasn’t ready at that time to say unequivocally whether or not Watson would be the backup for the game.
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“Haven’t decided that yet,” Monken said Nov. 6. “We’re still, you know, working through that, working through his ability to clear it.”
Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Best photos from Week 8 NFL game
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
(Barry Reeger, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Best photos from Week 8 NFL game
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
(Barry Reeger, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Best photos from Week 8 NFL game
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken watches warm up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
(Barry Reeger, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Best photos from Week 8 NFL game
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
(Barry Reeger, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Best photos from Week 8 NFL game
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
(Barry Reeger, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Best photos from Week 8 NFL game
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) walk out to the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
(Charles LeClaire, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Best photos from Week 8 NFL game
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns center Elgton Jenkins (74) and center Luke Wypler (56) walk to the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
(Charles LeClaire, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Best photos from Week 8 NFL game
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam seen on the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
(Charles LeClaire, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Best photos from Week 8 NFL game
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) reacts prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
(Charles LeClaire, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Best photos from Week 8 NFL game
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
(Charles LeClaire, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Watson, who entered the concussion protocol Nov. 3 after complaining of symptoms, returned to practice Nov. 6, the last full practice of the week. The Browns went through a walkthrough in Berea Nov. 7 before departing to New Orleans.
It would be hard to imagine that, if Watson was able to dress for the game, he wouldn’t stand as the backup for the game. There’s been no indication, at this time, that he would lose his starting job beyond this week to Sanders, assuming good health.
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“Yeah, I didn’t assume I’d get that question,” Monken said Nov. 4 when asked if Watson would remain the starter. “Yeah, he’s been our starter for eight games. I would assume he’s still our starter. I don’t ― I’m thinking about Wednesday. But I’m not ― I’m really thinking about today and watching Shedeur play today.”
Sanders has only appeared in two games this season, both in an emergency after Watson had to leave following a late hit. He played one play in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers, completing a pass to running back Quinshon Judkins for no gain.
Watson left the Browns’ Week 8 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with 13:33 remaining in the first quarter after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit by safety Jaquan Brisker. Sanders came in for four plays, completing both of his passes for two yards.
Watson returned to the game on the next series and finished out the game. He completed 27-of-39 passes for 324 yards, with a fumble lost on a strip sack on his first possession back in the game.
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The Steelers sacked Watson eight times, matching a career high for the quarterback. He’s been sacked a league-high 33 times.
Watson had quarterbacked the Browns to five fourth-quarter comebacks, including four in which they scored the go-ahead points in the final two minutes of the game. He leads the NFL in passer rating (130.3), passing yards (448), completion percentage (75.5) and completions (37) in the final two minutes of either half.
For the season, Watson has completed 163-of-249 passes for 1,806 yards, an average of 258 yards per game. He’s thrown seven touchdowns to three interceptions, while posting a 91.2 rating.
Watson has added 217 rushing yards on 51 carries and one score. His ability to run and extend plays was a key to the Browns’ fourth-quarter successes in winning five of six between Weeks 2 and 6, although it also led to extra hits.
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