Browns' Deshaun Watson: Clears concussion protocol, still questionable
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Watson (concussion) cleared the concussion protocol Saturday but remains questionable for Sunday's game at New Orleans.
Since Watson reported concussion symptoms Tuesday, he didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday before being limited Friday and earning a questionable tag for Week 9 action. Head coach Todd Monken relayed to Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site Friday that Shedeur Sanders will be the team's starting quarterback Sunday, so some possibilities for Watson this weekend are active as the backup or inactive as the emergency third QB.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Listed as questionable, won't start
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Watson (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, but Shedeur Sanders will start even if Watson is active Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com, coach Todd Monken said Friday that he hasn't decided if Watson will be the team's Week 9 backup, as the QB -- who is in the NFL's concussion protocol -- has yet to be cleared. In any case, if Watson is active come Sunday, he'll merely be the backup. He was a limited practice participant Friday, after missing the previous two days.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Returns to practice field Friday
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Watson (concussion) was present for practice Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network previously suggested that Watson "is unlikely to start" Sunday's game against the Saints, but either way, the QB's return to the field, in any capacity, is a positive step toward him advancing through the NFL's concussion protocol. Friday's final injury report will add further clarity to Watson's Week 9 status, but if he isn't cleared to play this weekend, Shedeur Sanders would be in line to start in his place.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Unlikely to start Sunday
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Watson (concussion) "is unlikely to start" Sunday's game against the Saints, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Watson has not practiced since being placed in the NFL's concussion protocol Tuesday, and it appears he will not be cleared to suit up for Week 9. The Browns will provide an official update on Watson's status later Friday, and if he is unable to go, Shedeur Sanders would presumably get the start in his place.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Missing another practice
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Watson (concussion) remained sidelined from practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
With Watson, who is in the NFL's concussion protocol, in line to log back-to-back 'DNPs,' the QB's status for Sunday's game against the Saints remains cloudy. In the event that Watson doesn't gain clearance to play this weekend, Shedeur Sanders would draw the start in his place.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: May not clear concussion protocol in time
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Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer suggests that Watson may have difficulty clearing the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints.
In the wake of Wednesday's news that Watson is in the protocol, the Browns' Week 9 QB situation will be worth monitoring closely as Sunday's 1:00 pm ET kickoff approaches. Key context on that front will arrive via the team's upcoming practice report, but if Watson is unable to gain clearance to play this weekend, Shedeur Sanders would be in line to get his first regular-season start.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Placed in concussion protocol
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The Browns announced Wednesday that Watson has been placed in concussion protocol.
Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter of Sunday's 27-6 loss to the Steelers, and after being examined by an independent consultant he was cleared to return to the game. Though subsequent tests after the game and Monday morning showed no symptoms of a concussion, Watson informed the Browns on Tuesday morning that he was experiencing symptoms and was "immediately placed in the concussion protocol," per the team. Watson will need to clear the five-step protocol in order to play in Cleveland's Week 9 matchup with New Orleans, but if he's unable to go, Shedeur Sanders would be in line to start at quarterback for the first time this season.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Over 300 passing yards in loss
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Watson completed 27 of 39 passes for 324 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions while rushing three times for two yards in the Browns' 27-6 loss to the Steelers on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
Watson couldn't get lead the Browns to a single touchdown, but he exceeded 300 passing yards for the second straight game since Cleveland was forced into a pass-centric approach. Watson displayed the most chemistry with Harold Fannin (10-154-0 on 12 targets), and he recorded completions to seven different targets overall. Watson also lost the handle on a combined sack by Patrick Queen and Cameron Heyward in the first quarter, which led to a Steelers touchdown. Watson will look to rebound in a favorable road matchup against the Saints in Week 9 next Sunday.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Back in Sunday's game
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Watson (undisclosed) returned to Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Watson endured a big hit on the Browns' first offensive possession and was required to visit the medical tent for what likely was to check on a possible concussion. He's since been cleared to return to action.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Visits sideline tent in Week 8
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Watson went to the sideline tent in the first quarter of Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Watson took a big hit on the Browns' first offensive possession, and it appears he may be undergoing a check for a possible concussion. Shedeur Sanders will take over for Watson for as long as the latter is sidelined.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Compiles 193 scrimmage yards in win
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Watson completed 16 of 26 passes for 164 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and added eight carries for 29 yards in the Browns' 13-10 win over the Ravens on Sunday.
As Watson's numbers suggest, he didn't do anything of particular note as either a passer or runner, but the veteran signal-caller did avoid turnovers despite taking five sacks. That alone helped keep Cleveland in a game in which the Browns faced a 10-0 halftime deficit, and he was then able to lead fourth-quarter touchdown and field-goal drives that completed the comeback. Watson has surprisingly helped the Browns to a 4-2 record, and he's provided a solid 7:2 TD:INT and 196 rushing yards along the way. He'll look to carry over the momentum into a Week 7 road clash with the Titans on Sunday.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Inaccurate in Week 5 loss
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Watson completed 15 of 33 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown while rushing six times for 40 yards in Sunday's 17-12 loss to the Jets. He also lost a fumble.
Watson orchestrated a go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter for the fourth consecutive game, giving the Browns a 12-10 lead with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Denzel Boston with 6:15 remaining. Cleveland's defense held up to win the previous three games, but that streak was snapped here, as the Jets scored a go-ahead touchdown with 3:01 remaining while the Browns failed to score on their final three drives, the last of which ended with a Watson fumble on fourth down. Watson and the Browns will take a 3-2 record into a key Week 6 home game against the Ravens.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Week 5 Waiver Priority List
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Watson has scored at least 23.7 Fantasy points in two of four games this season, and he's rushed for at least 22 yards in each outing. His upcoming schedule isn't ideal, with the Jets, Baltimore, Tennessee and Pittsburgh in his next four games, and the Jets, Titans and Steelers are among the top 7 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. That said, Watson has performed well to start the season, and he's worth adding in all leagues for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Continues ascent with third straight win
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Watson completed 24 of 33 passes for 268 yards with one touchdown and one interception while rushing seven times for 22 yards in the Browns' 27-24 win over the Steelers on Thursday. He also committed two fumbles, losing one.
Watson's rather unlikely comeback season continued in the primetime spotlight Thursday against a division rival, with the embattled veteran ultimately besting future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. Watson's late third-quarter fumble on a sack by T.J. Watt didn't result in any Steelers points, but his interception on Cleveland's ensuing possession on a deep pass intended for Denzel Boston did lead to Pittsburgh's penultimate touchdown of the night. Watson was otherwise impressive, recording his highest passing yardage total since Week 3 of the 2023 season. Watson connected with seven different targets overall, and his one scoring strike went to Harold Fannin from two yards out late in the second quarter. Watson now boasts a 69.6 percent completion rate -- his highest since the 2020 season in Houston -- and a 6:2 TD:INT alongside 127 rushing yards heading into a Week 5 road matchup against the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 11.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Week 3 Waiver Priority List
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Watson had a solid game in Week 2 at Tampa Bay with 238 passing yards and two touchdowns, and he added 22 rushing yards for 23.7 Fantasy points. It's his first game with more than 20 Fantasy points since Week 3 of 2024, and we'll see how he does in Week 3 against Carolina. I don't have high expectations for Watson yet, but he should be added in all Superflex and two-quarterback leagues for at least 10 percent of your remaining FAAB.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Makes strong case in upset win
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Watson completed 24 of 30 passes for 238 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions while adding seven rushes for 22 yards in the Browns' 23-19 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
The proverbial vultures seemed to be surrounding Watson already after an ugly Week 1 loss to the Jaguars, but the oft-maligned veteran signal-caller preserved his starting job for the moment with Sunday's weather-delayed upset victory. Watson ran the Browns offense with a steady hand throughout the afternoon, avoiding turnovers while navigating a pair of sacks and connecting with Denzel Boston (55 yards) and Blake Whiteheart (17 yards) for his pair of touchdown passes. Watson has completed a stellar 76.9 percent of his passes and posted a 3:1 TD:INT through two games, and he'll next take on the Panthers in a Week 3 home matchup next Sunday.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Ugly season debut Sunday
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Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards with one touchdown and one interception while rushing six times for 38 yards in the Browns' 34-10 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday. He also fumbled once but recovered.
Watson put together a deceptively impressive 72.7 percent completion rate, but the numbers were largely empty in the context of a 24-point loss. Even Watson's one touchdown pass rang somewhat hollow, as it came with 1:52 remaining and the game well out of reach. While the 46-yard scoring strike to rookie Denzel Boston saw Watson flash some encouraging arm strength and accuracy, he and his offensive teammates could have another tough assignment on their hands in a Week 2 road matchup next Sunday against a Buccaneers defense that can be highly aggressive with its blitzes.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Named Cleveland's starting quarterback
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The Browns named Watson their starting quarterback Monday, multiple sources tell NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.
Watson won out in a job battle with Shedeur Sanders, after the quarterbacks alternated starts in the Browns' first two preseason contests. After an efficient showing in the preseason opener against the Bears (11-for-15 for 126 yards), Watson was unproductive over his four second-half drives in Saturday's 31-7 exhibition loss to the Bills, completing just five of 12 throws for 36 yards and an interception. The Browns were apparently encouraged enough from what they've seen from Watson over the course of training camp and the first two preseason tilts to move forward with him as their starter heading into the regular season, but he'll most likely be on a short leash. Since joining the Browns in 2022, Watson has posted a lowly 33.1 QBR while being limited to 19 total games due to injuries, including a torn right Achilles tendon and a subsequent re-rupture that kept him out for the entire 2025 season.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Poor second half Saturday
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Watson completed five of 12 passes for 36 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in Saturday's 31-7 preseason loss to the Bills. He also rushed twice for 13 yards.
After starting the preseason opener, Watson didn't enter Saturday's second preseason game until after halftime. Shedeur Sanders started and threw for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Watson played all but one possession in the second half but failed to get anything going. Head coach Todd Monken said after the game that he will wait until Sunday to name a starter for Thursday's preseason finale against the Patriots, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. There doesn't appear to be much daylight between Watson and Sanders in the competition for the starting QB role in Cleveland.
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Browns' Deshaun Watson: Looks sharp in preseason opener
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Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards in Saturday's 34-10 preseason loss to the Bears. He added four rushing yards on three carries and lost a fumble.
The veteran QB may have gotten a leg up on Shedeur Sanders in the battle for the Browns' starting job. Watson played the entire first half and led his team on its only two scoring drives of the day, including one capped by a 14-yard TD run by rookie wideout KC Concepcion early in the second quarter. Watson did cost Cleveland a potential third score, however, coughing up the ball on a sack in Chicago territory. Sanders and Watson will continue their competition in next week preseason's contest against the Bills, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports, with Sanders starting and Watson playing the second half this time around. Another solid effort from Watson could be enough for coach Todd Monken to name him the Week 1 starter.
