For the first time this season, Shedeur Sanders will be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.
Deshaun Watson has been in the concussion protocol all week and has not practiced, so Browns coach Todd Monken said Sanders will start. Monken praised Sanders’ performance in practice.
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“I liked his confidence and the way he operated. He looked very comfortable in terms of getting our guys in and out of the huddle and I thought he threw the ball extremely well,” Monken said of Sanders.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders looks on during warm-ups before an NFL regular-season game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 25, 2026. (Stephen Furst/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)
Watson could clear the concussion protocol on Saturday, but after missing three days of practice, the Browns will start Sanders regardless of whether Watson is cleared. Sanders entered the game for four plays last week when Watson left to undergo a concussion evaluation, completing two passes for 2 yards.
Watson returned to the game after being cleared by an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant. The 10-year veteran began experiencing concussion symptoms Monday night, when he was placed in the concussion protocol.
The 24-year-old Sanders started the final seven games of his rookie season last year, going 3-4 while completing 56.2% of his passes for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Browns had a quarterback competition throughout training camp, but Watson won the job.
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sanders said his playing time last season was valuable.
“It was valuable, just tapping back into that memory bank, having those reps and everything,” Sanders said. “That’s why I’m thankful for this whole offseason and everything and just being out there with the guys each and every day, being able to still get some throws in with them. So I don’t think we lost a step.”
The New Orleans Saints, Cleveland’s opponent on Sunday, have struggled defensively, ranking 28th in the league in total defense and 23rd against the pass.
Quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns watch from the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on Sept. 7, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Browns (5-3) are looking to avoid consecutive losses for the first time this season, while New Orleans (2-5) is coming off its bye week.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.