Cleveland Browns Name Shedeur Sanders Starter Against Saints Amid Watson Injury

The Cleveland Browns have confirmed that Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback for their upcoming road contest against the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Todd Monken announced the decision on Friday, stating that the move comes as Deshaun Watson remains in the concussion protocol.

Watson is currently listed as questionable for the game. Monken has not yet determined if Watson will serve as the backup for Sunday, a decision that hinges on whether Watson receives final clearance from medical staff. Watson self-reported concussion symptoms on Tuesday morning and was subsequently placed in the protocol.

Following Watson's injury, Sanders took all the starting reps during the team's practice sessions this week. This will mark the first start of the season for Sanders, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie in the previous season, Sanders made seven starts. In those games, he completed 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, throwing seven touchdowns and ten interceptions. He posted a record of three wins and four losses during those starts.

Sanders expressed excitement about the opportunity to play, noting that his first year allowed him to identify areas for improvement. He stated that he has worked on these aspects during the offseason and training camp. "Last year, I was able to see what I needed to see, feel different things during the games and understand what I need to get better at," Sanders said Wednesday. He added that he is excited for the chance to compete.

This season, Sanders has seen limited action, attempting just three passes in spot appearances across two games. He has also received limited regular season practice reps. However, he did split reps with the first offense during the team's quarterback competition in training camp.

Monken praised Sanders for his diligence and natural confidence, noting that young players must gain playing time to develop. The coach highlighted specific areas where Sanders has improved, including his footwork, drops, mechanics, and understanding of where to take the ball. Monken also pointed to Sanders' increased sense of urgency in working through progressions and protections. "There were so many things he needed to work on, and he's done that like any young player," Monken said. He explained that the team opened up the competition and split reps in camp because of Sanders' upward trajectory.

Regarding the backup quarterback role, Dillon Gabriel is a potential option. Gabriel returned from injured reserve last week and served as the emergency quarterback in Week 8. He could back up Sanders on Sunday. Meanwhile, rookie Taylen Green, a sixth-round pick, will return to the role of emergency quarterback for the first seven games of the season while Watson is sidelined.