Deshaun Watson Fantasy Stats

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is being listed as questionable to play on Sunday in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Watson entered the NFL's concussion protocol earlier this week and missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, although he returned to the field for Friday's session. Although the veteran signal-caller has not been technically ruled out this weekend, he will not start, as head coach Todd Monken announced that Shedeur Sanders will make the start under center with Watson still in the concussion protocol. If Watson is cleared by Sunday, he will be in a backup role in the Big Easy. Fantasy managers who have been using Watson in two-QB superflex leagues should be concerned that Watson could lose out on the starting gig if Sanders plays well in Week 9. The 31-year-old Watson leads the league with 33 sacks taken and has not thrown a touchdown pass since Oct. 11 in the loss to the New York Jets. If the Browns still view Watson as their starter after Week 9, his next chance to start will come in a Week 10 matchup at home against the Houston Texans.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) returned to practice on Friday as he makes his way through the league's concussion protocol, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. It is good progress for Watson, but it may be a little too late this week, as it was reported earlier on Friday that he is not expected to be cleared to play in the Week 9 contest on Sunday on the road against the New Orleans Saints. We should have more clarity on Watson's status when the Browns release their official injury report on Friday, but as of now, fantasy managers who have been using him in two-QB leagues should not be planning on having Watson available this weekend. If he is officially ruled out, second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders will be in line for his first start of 2026 in what will be a tough task on the road against a team coming off their bye. The 31-year-old Watson has led the Browns to a 5-3 record in his eight starts this year and has been a decent QB2 option in superflex leagues despite taking a league-high 33 sacks. He has thrown for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is not expected to play in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. After finishing the Week 8 game, Watson was placed in concussion protocol on Wednesday and has not practiced this week. With Watson not expected to suit up against the Saints, second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders is slated to start. In seven career starts, Sanders has completed 116 of 196 passes for 1,353 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions, along with 20 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown. While this slightly affects the Browns' top playmakers, including KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, and Harold Fannin Jr., who didn't practice on Thursday, Sanders should still be able to use these weapons against a struggling Saints defense. If Watson is out in Week 9, fantasy managers should expect him to return in Week 10 against his former team, the Houston Texans.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is still not practicing on Thursday after reporting delayed concussion symptoms following a Week 8 loss to the Steelers and landing in the NFL's concussion protocol. Watson has been the fantasy QB17 through eight weeks, but if he is unable to play in a Week 9 matchup with the Saints, Cleveland will turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders threw for less than 200 yards per game across his seven starts in 2025, while averaging a single touchdown per start. He did, however, form an obvious connection with tight end Harold Fannin Jr., while his propensity for throwing underneath could also help provide a usable fantasy floor for rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is not expected to practice on Wednesday after entering the NFL's concussion protocol this week, according to Scott Petrak of The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. However, head coach Todd Monken is not ruling Watson out, and he is optimistic that he will play on Sunday on the road against the New Orleans Saints, who are coming off their bye. Fantasy managers who have been using the 31-year-old veteran in two-QB superflex leagues should be formulating a backup plan for this week. If Watson cannot get cleared from the protocol by the start of the weekend, second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders would be in line for his first start of the 2026 season in a hostile environment against a well-rested Saints defense. We will be keeping a close eye on Watson's practice status this week, but so far, he is on the wrong side of questionable. Through the first eight weeks this year, Watson has been a serviceable QB2 in fantasy, throwing for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions to put him as the QB17 in overall fantasy points.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) was placed in concussion protocol on Wednesday, according to Mary Kay Cabot. Watson left Week 8's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers early after hitting his head on the turf in the first quarter. Second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders replaced him for a drive, but Watson returned and finished the game. With Watson in the protocol, it's unclear whether he will be able to suit up for Week 9's contest against the New Orleans Saints, which would put Sanders in line to start. In seven career starts, Sanders has completed 116 of 196 passes for 1,353 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while adding 153 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Fantasy managers should monitor Watson's practice status throughout the week, but it seems likely that Sanders will start in Week 9.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has had an encouraging start to the 2026 season compared to the rest of his tenure in Cleveland, coming in at QB20 (minimum three games played) with 15.6 fantasy points per game so far. This puts him firmly in the conversation as a starter in two QB leagues. He passed for seven touchdowns in the first five weeks, but has since slowed down, scoring only one touchdown in the last three, and it was rushing. In Weeks 7 and 8, Watson passed for 308 and 324 yards, respectively, but the passing touchdowns did not come. The Browns' Week 9 opponent, the New Orleans Saints, allow the ninth-most passing yards per game (249.7 yards) and have given up 11 passing touchdowns in their 8 games. Watson has the opportunity to bounce back after his lackluster fantasy outing last week, especially if he tacks on some rushing yards, as he has done in multiple games this year. Fantasy managers looking for a solid option in two-QB leagues can look towards Watson, but 1-QB league managers are better off searching for a different streaming option.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (head) returned to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after briefly exiting in the first quarter for a concussion check, according to Kelsey Russo, an associate editor and staff writer for the Browns. Shedeur Sanders replaced Watson while he was out. On the first drive following Watson's return, he was strip-sacked by Pittsburgh linebacker Patrick Queen, and the ball was recovered by Pittsburgh defensive lineman Keeanu Benton, which eventually led to a touchdown for the Steelers.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (head) is heading to the medical tent after a roughing-the-passer call on Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker in Week 8, according to The Athletic's Mike DeFabo. Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram and Medina Gazette adds that the referees sent Watson to the sideline for concussion evaluation. Shedeur Sanders is now in at quarterback for the Browns. Watson's status will need to be monitored moving forward.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson looks to be on the low end of starting quarterbacks for fantasy in his Week 8 matchup at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watson has led the Browns to 5-2 overall record but his fantasy numbers leave something to be desired this season. Watson was 25-of-36 passing in Week 7's win over the Titans with 308 passing yards and an interception without a touchdown. He did rush three times for 19 yards and a rushing touchdown. Although he didn't find the end zone passing the ball, it was one of Watson's better games through the air. He will likely find things tougher this week against the Steelers' defense, which ranks 11th against the pass allowing 212.7 passing yards per game with just seven passing touchdowns allowed this season. In the first meeting against Pittsburgh at home, Watson finished with 268 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Watson will hope to keep up his positive play in a key road matchup. Matching up with the likes of Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr., and Jalen Ramsey, Watson looks like a bottom tier starting quarterback this week. If you have other options you may want to start them over Watson this week.