Browns QB Watson in concussion protocol; status vs. Saints unclear

Questionable (concussion). Fantasy football: Watson is questionable for Week 9 after reporting concussion symptoms Tuesday. Shedeur Sanders would start if…

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · November 4, 2026

Deshaun Watson has been placed in the NFL's concussion protocol after reporting symptoms Tuesday morning, two days after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker in Sunday's loss. Watson was evaluated and cleared to return during the game, then showed no symptoms postgame or Monday before reporting them Tuesday. His availability for Sunday's road matchup against New Orleans is uncertain.

Watson is questionable and managers must check the inactive list about 90 minutes before kickoff. If he cannot play, Shedeur Sanders would make his first start of the season for Cleveland. Watson averaged 12.9 half-PPR points over his last 3 games, with no passing touchdowns in that span. The Saints have allowed 17.8 half-PPR points a game to quarterbacks, the 16th fewest of 32.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Deshaun Watson

Watson completed 27 of 39 passes for 324 yards with no touchdowns and one interception in Week 8 against Pittsburgh, adding 3 carries for 2 yards for 11.2 half-PPR points. Over his last 3 games he has averaged 265.3 passing yards and 4.7 carries a game for 12.9 half-PPR points a game, with no passing touchdowns in that stretch. For the season he has averaged 225.8 passing yards and 6.4 carries a game for 14.7 half-PPR points.

Our models show Watson is scoring about what his usage predicts (0.0 half-PPR points a game above expected on the season), so his points match his role. His efficiency is below average, ranking 39th of 45 quarterbacks at -1.3 projected points from efficiency beyond volume. With Shedeur Sanders next on the depth chart, Watson's status puts Cleveland's quarterback situation in flux for managers who rostered him as a streaming option.

Dillon Gabriel

Gabriel returned from injured reserve last week and served as Cleveland's emergency third quarterback in Week 8. He cannot play unless both Watson and Shedeur Sanders are unable to go.

Gabriel ranks 43rd of 45 quarterbacks with a Roundup Score of 8 out of 99, and we project 5.7 half-PPR points a game. He remains a deep league hold only as emergency depth behind Watson and Sanders. Managers in shallow formats have no reason to add him unless both quarterbacks ahead of him become unavailable.

What to do

• Check the inactive list about 90 minutes before kickoff to see if Watson clears protocol and can play Sunday against New Orleans.

• If Watson cannot play, monitor news on whether Shedeur Sanders will make his first start of the season for Cleveland.

• Do not add Dillon Gabriel unless both Watson and Sanders become unavailable, as he serves only as the emergency third quarterback.