The Cleveland Browns were holding out hope that Deshaun Watson would be able to overcome concussion symptoms and start at quarterback against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. But that will not be the case.
Shedeur Sanders has been named the starter for the Week 9 road game, which will be his first start of the season after making seven as a rookie. Sanders has played just five snaps this year as Watson has taken control of the job.
Insider Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com provided the news.
“Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback vs. the Saints, Todd Monken announced,” Cabot posted.
#Browns Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback vs. the #Saints, Todd Monken announced.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 6, 2026
This is a huge opportunity for Sanders, who lost the competition for the starting job to Watson during the preseason. With Watson helping the Browns to a surprising 5-3 record thanks to a string of game-winning fourth-quarter drives, it did not look like Sanders would see the field much without Watson getting injured.
The veteran took a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday, but after being evaluated for a concussion, he was cleared and was able to finish the 27-6 loss. Watson then experienced symptoms during the week, was put back into the NFL protocol, and, even though he was seen at practice on Friday, the Browns will turn to Sanders.
Cleveland will be trying to get back on track after allowing eight sacks and failing to score a touchdown against Pittsburgh. Watson had been providing adequate quarterback play, although it did leave something to be desired before his late-game rallies.
Watson has one of the worst QBRs in the league, although he has completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions. His 217 rushing yards rank second on the team.
The Browns won three of Sanders’ seven starts last season. Including a brief appearance after Dillon Gabriel entered concussion protocol in Week 11, Sanders completed 5.6 percent of his passes for 1,4000 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Now, he will be counted on to help Cleveland rebound and avoid its first back-to-back losses of the season.
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