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Shedeur Sanders will start for the Browns at New Orleans with Watson in protocol
Cleveland coach Todd Monken named Shedeur Sanders the starter Sunday at New Orleans while Deshaun Watson remains in the concussion protocol and questionable.
The Browns are handing the ball to Shedeur Sanders this week.
Coach Todd Monken said Friday that Sanders will start Sunday at the New Orleans Saints while Deshaun Watson remains in the NFL concussion protocol and is listed as questionable.
Monken has not decided whether Watson will be active if he clears protocol by game day.
Limited practice for Watson
Watson was limited Friday and still cannot take team reps. "He can do individual he can do some routes been in meetings but you're not able to do any of the team reps which makes it difficult" Monken said.
Watson reported concussion symptoms after a helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker in last Sunday's 27-6 loss at Pittsburgh. He finished that game with 324 passing yards and eight sacks taken.
First start of 2026
Sanders a 2025 fifth-round pick out of Colorado started seven games as a rookie. He has completed all three of his pass attempts this season for 2 yards after losing the preseason job to Watson.
If Watson is inactive Sanders will be backed up by 2025 third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. Cleveland (5-3) kicks off at 1 p.m. ET in the Superdome.
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