Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, head coach Todd Monken announced Friday.
Deshaun Watson started the first eight games of the season but is still in the NFL's concussion protocol and is listed as questionable. Although Watson returned to practice Friday on a limited basis, Cleveland prepared all week for Sanders to start, given the uncertainty around Watson's status.
"I'm fired up to see him play," Monken said about Sanders getting his first start of the season, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "I mean, who wouldn't be?"
Sanders took over as Cleveland's starter in Week 12 of last season and started the final seven games. As a rookie in 2026, he threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
The fifth-round pick out of Colorado in the 2025 draft lost the starting quarterback battle to Watson in training camp. Watson has led the Browns to a 5-3 record in eight games, the franchise's best start since 2020, when it also went 5-3.
Among 31 qualifying quarterbacks this year, Watson ranks 16th in passer rating and 20th in EPA/dropback, according to TruMedia. He's completed 65.5% of his passes for 1,806 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions.
Watson suffered his injury in the first quarter of Cleveland's 27-6 Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was evaluated for a head injury shortly after but was cleared to return. However, Watson began feeling symptoms on Monday and was placed in the NFL's concussion protocol earlier this week.
Cleveland sits in third place in the AFC West standings heading into Sunday's contest.
