Cleveland Browns Name Shedeur Sanders Starter as Deshaun Watson Enters Protocol
The second-year quarterback takes the snaps Sunday after Watson missed team reps all week.
By Robert Ward ·
Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. The change occurs because starter Deshaun Watson is currently in the NFL concussion protocol.
Watson practiced on Friday but did not participate in any team drills. Head coach Todd Monken stated that the inability to run full-team reps over the three-day practice window made the decision to move Sanders into the starting role straightforward.
Monken praised Sanders' comfort level and throwing accuracy during the week's sessions. The second-year quarterback, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has already played in the 2026 season. He entered last week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after Watson sustained a helmet-to-helmet hit from safety Jaquan Brisker. Sanders completed both of his passes for a combined two yards in that appearance.
Watson returned to the field against Pittsburgh after clearing an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant. However, he began experiencing concussion symptoms on Monday night and was subsequently placed in the protocol. He is listed as questionable for Sunday and may be cleared on Saturday.
Sanders started the final seven games of his rookie season, finishing with three wins and four losses. He threw seven touchdown passes and ten interceptions. The Browns selected Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 draft after trading up, while New Orleans took Tyler Shough with the 40th pick.
The Saints defense ranks 28th in the league in total defense and 23rd against the pass. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley noted that the unit will keep its base scheme but may adjust elements of the quarterback run game. Cleveland is seeking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season, while New Orleans returns from its bye week.
Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins will miss Sunday's contest due to an elbow injury. Collins is second on the team with three and a half sacks.
