Browns reportedly plan to start Deshaun Watson in Week 10 after concussion pushed Shedeur Sanders into lineup

Posted by Admin November 9, 2026 NFL

Shedeur Sanders’ time as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback is reportedly over. The team reportedly plans to start Deshaun Watson in Week 10 after he cleared concussion protocol, according to ESPN.

Watson — who previously started every game for the Browns this season — missed the team’s Week 9 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints due to a concussion. Though Watson cleared concussion protocol Friday, the team held him out of Sunday’s game.

In his absence, Sanders threw for 297 yards and two passing touchdowns in a narrow 23-22 overtime loss to the Saints. Sanders was nearly the hero of the game, finding tight end Harold Fannin on a 39-yard touchdown in overtime to bring the deficit to one point.

But the Browns decided against playing for the tie, and went for a potential game-winning two-point conversion with just over three minutes to play in overtime. Sanders’ pass to wideout Denzel Boston fell incomplete, however, resulting in the Browns losing the game.

While Sanders’ numbers look OK, the shift back to Watson was always expected. The veteran led the team to a 5-3 record in eight starts. His numbers haven’t been elite — Watson has seven touchdowns and three interceptions on the year — but he’s managed games effectively enough to pick up victories.

After starting seven games for the Browns down the stretch last season, Sanders hasn’t received much playing time in 2026. Since losing a training camp battle to Watson, Sanders had attempted just three passes prior to Sunday’s start against the Saints.

Though Sanders nearly won his start, Watson will be given the chance to lead the Browns to the playoffs this season. At 5-4, that possibility is in play.

But if Cleveland falls out of the hunt of Watson falters, the team could opt to give Sanders another look down the stretch. With Watson’s contract up after the season, the Browns need to figure out whether Sanders is a player worth building around or if another quarterback needs to be brought in for 2027.

The team doesn’t feel it’s time to start that evaluation just yet.