The Cleveland Browns might need to turn to second-year backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome.

The Browns announced Wednesday morning that starting quarterback Deshaun Watson entered concussion protocol on Tuesday, giving him little time to clear protocol in time for Sunday. Watson left Cleveland’s game last Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers after a helmet-to-helmet hit. The Browns said he was cleared by the independent doctor on the sideline and that he reported no concussion symptoms after the game or on Monday.

However, on Tuesday, he reported symptoms overnight and was placed in the protocol. Returning from NFL concussion protocol is a five-step process that is usually not completed in a single week.

Sanders, the Heisman Trophy winner at Colorado in 2024 and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, famously slid to the Browns in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after being considered a first-round pick. He was linked, among others, to the Saints, who instead took Tyler Shough in the second round.

Sanders started seven games for Cleveland as a rookie, going 3-4 and completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 169 yards and a touchdown. He is 3-for-3 passing for 2 yards this season.

Watson is 5-3 as a Browns starter this year with 1,806 yards passing, seven touchdowns and three interceptions to go with 217 yards and one TD rushing.