Deshaun Watson has been placed in the concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on Tuesday morning.
The scandalized Cleveland Browns quarterback took a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker during the team’s humbling 27-6 loss to their AFC North rivals on Sunday.
Watson immediately had a concussion evaluation by an independent neurotrauma consultant but was cleared to return to the game after sitting out just three plays.
The Browns said in a statement that the team’s medical staff checked Watson again for a potential concussion both after the game and on Monday morning. Both times he showed no symptoms and passed the evaluations.
However, Watson reported on Tuesday morning that he began to experience concussion symptoms on Monday night. He was immediately put in the concussion protocol.
It remains unclear whether Watson will have recovered in time for the Browns’ next game – on the road against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Deshaun Watson has been put in the concussion protocol after reporting symptoms Tuesday
Watson, the scandalized Cleveland Browns quarterback, took a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit
If Watson cannot play against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Shedeur Sanders will start
If he cannot play then Shedeur Sanders will make his first start of the season after he lost the training camp battle for the starting spot to Watson over the summer.
A fifth-round NFL Draft pick in 2025, Sanders started seven games as a rookie. He has thrown just three passes this season. The Browns could also call on Dillon Gabriel or rookie Taylen Green.
After missing the entirety of last season with an Achilles injury, a rejuvenated Watson has led the Browns to five wins from their opening eight games.
But his return to NFL stardom has come after he previously faced sexual misconduct allegations from 24 different massage therapists, many of whom claimed he exposed himself, touched them with his genitals and – in some cases – forced sexual acts during massages.
Watson denied sexually assaulting or harassing anyone and said that any sexual encounters were consensual. He was not criminally prosecuted over the allegations, but was suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Now, four years on and after dealing with multiple injuries, Watson is trying to rebuild his career in Cleveland, on a huge $230 million contract and in front of a fanbase that is torn on whether or not to support him.
Through the first eight games of the season, Watson has completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.
