The Cleveland Browns confirmed their starting quarterback for Sunday's showdown against the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Todd Monken announced Friday that Shedeur Sanders will make his first start of the season, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. The Browns revealed Wednesday that Deshaun Watson entered concussion protocol after reporting symptoms to the team Tuesday morning.
Watson returned to practice on Friday, but he has yet to clear concussion protocol. Cleveland hasn't ruled him out as a backup option for Week 9, officially listing him as questionable. Watson took a hit to the head during the first quarter of last Sunday's 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He returned on the next drive after an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant cleared him and finished with 324 passing yards, his highest total since joining the Browns in 2022. The 5-3 Browns will now look to keep pace in a highly competitive AFC North behind Sanders, who went 3-4 as a starter last season. The fifth-round pick posted a 68.1 quarterback rating with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions as a rookie.
"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. "So, then going into this offseason, we worked on that, and training camp, of course, in this offseason, and overall, I'm just excited for the opportunity." Monken is also eager to see the 24-year-old get another opportunity in a potentially significant showcase. "I'm fired up to see him play," Monken said.
"I mean, who wouldn't be?" Sunday's game between the Browns and Saints starts at 1 p.m.
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