First-choice Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson returned to the practice field on Friday after he entered the concussion protocol earlier in the week.
However, that wasn’t enough for Watson to start this Sunday’s game between the 5-3 Browns and 2-5 New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Shedeur Sanders gets his first opportunity to start this season
As shared by Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram and Medina Gazette, first-year Browns head coach Todd Monken confirmed on Friday afternoon that second-year pro Shedeur Sanders will serve as the Browns’ starting quarterback against the Saints.
Per Petrak, Watson will officially be listed as questionable for the Week 9 matchup heading into the weekend. Watson could be Cleveland’s primary backup on Sunday if he is able to clear the concussion protocol, but such a decision likely won’t be made before some point on Saturday.
Watson was initially checked for a concussion during the Browns’ 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 1. He was ultimately cleared to return that afternoon, but he then reported symptoms on Tuesday.
Sanders has since worked in practice as the Browns’ QB1.
What could this development mean for the futures of Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson?
Earlier in the week, Monken said that he “would assume” Watson will resume starting games for the Browns whenever the 31-year-old clears the protocol and can fully practice ahead of a game. That said, ESPN stats show that the Browns will begin Sunday ranked 24th in the NFL with 301.9 yards gained per game and 29th with an average of 17.4 points scored per contest. Meanwhile, Watson is 28th in the league among qualified players with a 40.9 adjusted QBR.
Such stats would suggest that Sanders could give Monken and Co. something to think about if the 24-year-old produces a career-best performance en route to guiding Cleveland to a road win in New Orleans. Shortly after Monken finished speaking, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Browns as three-point road underdogs against the Saints.
“I’m fired up to see him play. Let’s go,” Monken added about Sanders, per Petrak. “This is what he has wanted. Let’s let it rip. Let’s see what we got.”
Sanders has attempted just three passes this season and hasn’t started since losing the competition for the QB1 gig to Watson in August.
