Shedeur Sanders to Start for Browns vs. Saints with Watson Sidelined

Shedeur Sanders will make his first start of the season for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as Deshaun Watson remains in concussion protocol.

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken announced Friday that Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback for Sunday’s road game against the New Orleans Saints. Deshaun Watson remains in the concussion protocol and is listed as questionable after self-reporting symptoms on Tuesday morning. Sanders, a 2025 fifth-round pick, took all the starting repetitions in practice this week while Watson awaited clearance.

This marks the first start of the 2026 season for Sanders, who has attempted only three passes this year in two spot appearances. During his rookie campaign, Sanders posted a 3-4 record in seven starts, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Monken noted that the second-year quarterback has shown improvement in his footwork, mechanics, and ability to work through progressions since splitting reps with the first-team offense during training camp.

Cleveland’s depth chart behind Sanders remains fluid for Sunday's matchup. Dillon Gabriel, who recently returned from injured reserve, is a candidate to serve as the backup. Rookie sixth-round pick Taylen Green will return to the emergency quarterback role he held for the first seven games of the season. Monken has not yet determined if Watson will be active as the backup should he be cleared before kickoff.