Key Takeaways
- Browns coach Todd Monken named Shedeur Sanders the starter for Sunday’s game against the Saints, giving the second-year quarterback his first start of the season.
- Deshaun Watson returned to practice Friday but remains questionable under concussion protocol, and Monken expects him to reclaim the starting job once he clears protocol and practices fully.
- Sanders has a chance to shake up the quarterback conversation for the 5-3 Browns, whose offense ranks 24th in yards and 29th in scoring.
Deshaun Watson is back at practice, but the Cleveland Browns aren't taking any chances with their quarterback situation heading into Week 9.
Watson returned to the practice field on Friday, after entering concussion protocol earlier this week. Still, his return doesn't mean he's going to start in Sunday's matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Instead, Shedeur Sanders will get his first chance to officially start for the season, after talk about it earlier in the week.
Speaking to reporters, head coach Todd Monken confirmed the decision on Friday afternoon, according to Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram and Medina Gazette. Sanders, who is in his second year with the franchise, has been working with the first team in practice and will now get the chance to lead Cleveland against New Orleans.
Watson, meanwhile, is listed as questionable. Monken has not decided whether he will serve as the Browns' backup if he clears concussion protocol.
Watson's concussion concerns began during Cleveland's 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 1. He was initially evaluated for a concussion but cleared to return to that game. However, he began experiencing symptoms Monday night and reported them Tuesday morning, putting his availability for Sunday in question.
Earlier this week, Monken indicated that Watson would likely return to the starting role once he clears the protocol and is able to practice fully. That means there's reason to believe that once Watson is good to go, Sanders could be back in the backup role.
The Browns are 5-3 heading into Sunday's game and No. 3 in the AFC North. They have work to do offensively. The Browns are ranked 24th in the NFL in total offense, according to ESPN research, averaging 301.9 yards per game. Their scoring numbers are even worse, with 17.4 points per contest ranking 29th.
As for Watson, his 40.9 adjusted QBR ranks 28th among qualified quarterbacks, according to ESPN.
Sanders now has a chance to show that he can lead the Browns' offense. If he performs well, it could change the quarterback conversation. The game is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in New Orleans.
