Fresh off a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Todd Monken's Cleveland Browns will hit the road to take on the struggling New Orleans Saints. That's a perfect bounce-back opportunity, though, as usual at this point in the season, the injury bug has stung them pretty badly.
The Browns could possibly turn to Shedeur Sanders as the starter for the first time this season. It won't be because of Deshaun Watson's well-documented struggles, though, but because of a concussion he suffered in last week's loss at Pittsburgh.
Monken's team had another lengthy injury report after Wednesday's practice. The good news? Most of the guys listed as limited or DNP are still expected to suit up. Let's break it down.
Browns' lengthy injury report shouldn't derail bounce-back opportunity vs. Saints
Ian Rapoport: Deshaun Watson trending towards missing Week 9 due to a concussion
Deshaun Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit early in the loss to the Steelers but was cleared to return after being briefly evaluated for a concussion. He finished the game with 27 completions for 324 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and eight sacks taken.
His chances of clearing the NFL's five-step protocol by Saturday feel like a long-shot, which NFL insider Ian Rapoport intimated on Thursday morning.
“He came in yesterday with concussion symptoms," Rapoport said. "He was immediately placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol. That almost certainly means he is out for Sunday. Now, obviously he was checked for a concussion during the game, but what happens in the concussion protocol is that you continue to monitor a player. Monday night I believe it was, he came in and said he did not feel right. So he’s in the protocol. Shedeur Sanders expected to make his first start of the 2026 season."
Sanders took first-team reps on Wednesday and would be Cleveland's starter against New Orleans with Dillon Gabriel as his backup and rookie Taylen Green as the emergency QB3 if Watson is indeed ruled out.
Elgton Jenkins (knee), Jared Verse (knee), and Myles Harden (hamstring) were all listed as limited but are fully expected to suit up on Sunday against a Saints team that could have rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson on the field for the first time this season. New Orleans designated Tyson to return this week.
Austin Barber, Maliek Collins and Quincy Williams are likely a go
Browns fans sounded the alarms when Austin Barber (calf), Maliek Collins (elbow), and Quincy Williams (hamstring) were all listed as DNP on Wednesday, but Monken told reporters that he expects all of them to push to be available.
Williams has been the team's most consistent tackler in the second level this season, especially against the run. Collins is also playing the best ball of his career, and not having him out there would put the team's already thin defensive-line depth to the test.
As for Barber, the Browns' interior offensive line is coming off a dreadful performance, but he's been one of the team's bright spots this season.
Carson Schwesinger's ankle remains an issue
Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger was limited in practice with wrist and ankle injuries. He's struggled with his ankle ailment for weeks now, and even though he doesn't think it has affected his game, he hasn't been his usual explosive self.
Schwesinger will continue to push through it, though. That said, the team must consider giving him a breather if he keeps struggling with poor tackling. There's no shame in sitting out a game or two to get back to full strength. The Browns' bye is looming in Week 11.
Will Denzel Boston be limited in New Orleans?
Denzel Boston has struggled to make the most of his targets in the past couple of weeks. Plenty of that has had to do with Watson's ball placement, but he's also dealing with a calf injury that might be holding him back.
The rookie was listed as a limited participant in practice, though he was running routes and catching passes, so he should be out there on Sunday. He might take a step back to Harold Fannin Jr. and KC Concepcion again in this one.
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