Browns add TE Harold Fannin to injury report, Deshaun Watson remains out

Fans and Browns stakeholders face the prospect of a stripped‑down offense on Sunday, as the team's starting quarterback remains sidelined. Without Deshaun Watson, the franchise risks a setback in its push for a playoff berth, potentially ceding ground to division rivals. The situation also creates a platform for rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, whose performance could swing momentum either way, making the upcoming game a pivotal moment for Cleveland's season trajectory.

The concussion protocol placed Watson in doubt for the Saints matchup, prompting the Browns to list tight end Harold Fannin on the injury report, a move highlighted by NBC Sports. Coach Kevin Stefanski responded by turning to Sanders, with DAZN confirming his start. Cleveland.com reported that Sanders’ teammates are confident he will excel, while the TE loss tightens the receiving corps, leaving the offense to adapt quickly.

TSN and NBC Sports both note Watson's status remains unclear, and Yahoo Sports labeled the announcement of his continued absence as shocking. With the tight end group further depleted, analysts question how quickly the Browns can integrate Sanders into the game plan and whether secondary receivers can compensate for Fannin's loss. The open question now is whether Cleveland can sustain offensive momentum with Sanders at the helm and how the team will adjust if Watson's concussion persists.