Sanders Remains Browns Starter After Watson Clearance

Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken named Shedeur Sanders the starting quarterback for the team’s Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints, and Sanders remained in line to start after Deshaun Watson was reported to have cleared concussion protocol. Watson is still listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Monken announced the decision Friday, when Watson was still in the protocol. Watson’s reported clearance came in a team status update on Saturday, but the change did not alter the starting plan. The Browns have not identified whether Watson, Dillon Gabriel or Taylen Green will serve as Sanders’ backup.

Watson entered the protocol after symptoms surfaced Monday night, according to the account of his injury. He reported them to the team’s medical staff Tuesday morning, and the Browns announced his placement in the protocol on Wednesday. Watson did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was limited Friday, while Sanders took the starting repetitions throughout the week.

The start will be Sanders’ first of the 2026 season. He spent the first eight weeks as Cleveland’s backup after competing with Watson for the starting job in training camp. He has attempted three passes in spot...