Shedeur Sanders was given a lifeline after it was revealed that Deshaun Watson is suffering from concussion symptoms.

Almost nothing went right for the Cleveland Browns in their 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8, despite Watson completing 27-of-39 pass attempts for 324 yards. He was sacked eight times during the game, with one play in the first quarter standing out.

As a result of that play, Watson was placed in concussion protocol after the quarterback began experiencing symptoms, according to a statement released by the team almost three days after the game.

"During the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Steelers, Deshaun took a helmet-to-helmet hit," the Browns' statement Wednesday began.

"The ATC spotter called down to the sideline, and the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) administered a gameday concussion evaluation.

"Deshaun was cleared by the UNC and returned on the Browns' next offensive series. As part of the protocol, the team's medical staff evaluated him again postgame and Monday morning.

"Both times he showed no symptoms, passed his evaluations, and was cleared. On Tuesday morning, he reported to the medical staff that he began experiencing concussion symptoms Monday night and was immediately placed in the concussion protocol."

With Watson in the concussion protocol, the Browns are in line to start Sanders for the first time this season, with Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green moving up one spot in the depth chart. Sanders has appeared in two games this season as a reserve after playing in eight games in 2025.

In those eight games, Sanders started seven of them, compiling a 3-4 record as the main signal caller. In the games he played, the former Colorado star threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, losing to the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, and Buffalo Bills.

For Sanders, this marks the first time the second-year player will have a chance to prove himself after losing the starting spot to Watson. Watson has led the Browns to a 5-3 record so far, with there being indications that the embattled quarterback could receive a new deal to stay in Cleveland.

That, by itself, complicates matters for Sanders, whose time in Cleveland was up in the air before receiving a lifeline at Watson's expense.

That said, the math for Cleveland becomes complicated if Sanders performs well with Watson. When the season ends, the Browns can either let the veteran quarterback walk and sign with another team, sign him to a short-term contract as they wait for Sanders to develop, or sign him to another long-term contract.

Should the Browns make the playoffs with Watson playing an integral part, Cleveland could look to retain him in some way.

Watson does come with his own baggage, however, with nearly 30 civil lawsuits filed against the 31-year-old.

The plaintiffs accused the quarterback of sexual misconduct, which led to him denying all wrongdoing. Two Texas grand juries declined to criminalize or indict the quarterback on the charges.