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Browns’ Deshaun Watson out of protocol; Shedeur Sanders to start vs. Saints

By Thomson Reuters Nov 7, 2026 | 5:28 PM

By Field Level Media

Nov 07 (Field Level Media) – Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has cleared concussion protocol but ​remains questionable to play against ‌the host New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was named the starting quarterback versus the Saints by head coach Todd Monken ‌on ​Friday.

Monken did not indicate ⁠if Watson would ⁠be active for the game and possibly serve as the backup to Sanders. Watson had been in concussion protocol ​since Tuesday.

Sanders, 24, started seven of the eight games he played as ⁠a rookie last ⁠season while Watson was out ​for the year following Achilles tendon surgery. ​He completed 56.6% of his passes for ‌1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions as the Browns went 3-4 in his starts.

In spot duty this ⁠season, Sanders is 3-of-3 passing for 2 yards in two games.

Watson, 31, has led Cleveland to ⁠a ‌5-3 record this season by ⁠completing 65.5% of his passes ​for ‌1,806 yards, seven touchdowns and ​three interceptions.

A ⁠fifth-round draft pick out of Colorado in 2025, Sanders is the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who also coached his son with the Buffaloes.

(–Field ​Level Media)