Browns Make QB Decision for Saints Game Amid Deshaun Watson Concerns

The Cleveland Browns have settled on a quarterback ahead of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints following Deshaun Watson's clearance from concussion protocol. However, NFL insider Ian Rapoport stated Watson will be inactive for the match, with backup Shedeur Sanders taking the starting position. This marks Sanders' first start of the NFL season, as the Browns aim to recover from their last game's loss to Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, which ended 26-7.

Watson played a significant role in that loss, completing 27 of 39 passes for 324 yards. Nevertheless, a helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker forced Watson to leave the game temporarily, with Brisker receiving a 15-yard penalty and a $17,911 fine from the NFL. Upon further examination, Watson was diagnosed with a concussion and placed into the league's concussion protocol.

He had participated in Wednesday and Thursday's practices but returned to a limited, non-contact capacity on Friday. The Browns, who previously employed multiple starting QBs last season, including Dillon Gabriel and Joe Flacco, have now settled on Sanders, who played in eight games with seven starts and went 3-4 last season. Sanders last led the Browns to a 20-18 victory over the Bengals in January.

Now, the Browns confront the Saints on the road on Sunday, a team that has struggled with a 2-5 record so far this season.