CLEVELAND — Shedeur Sanders will make the first start of his NFL career Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, Browns coach Todd Monken announced Friday, after starter Deshaun Watson was placed in the concussion protocol following a hit from Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker, according to CBS Sports.

Sanders, the former Colorado star whose draft-day slide to the fifth round became one of the biggest storylines of the 2025 NFL Draft, has spent most of his rookie and now second season buried on Cleveland's depth chart. He briefly entered Thursday's loss to Pittsburgh after Watson's injury, completing both of his two pass attempts for two yards, per Yahoo Sports.

A long wait for a first start

Sanders appeared in eight games in 2025, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but had not taken a regular-season snap in 2026 before Thursday. Watson is officially listed as questionable for Sunday, but Cleveland is proceeding with Sanders as the starter.

BROWNS EXPECTING SANDERS' 'ASCENT' IN HIS FIRST START

That's the framing from Cleveland's coaching staff heading into Sunday, with one report suggesting the Browns could lean on Sanders for both this week and next before the team's Week 11 bye — giving the polarizing rookie-turned-second-year passer a real audition before the position potentially reopens.

What's next

Cleveland enters Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff in New Orleans at a surprising 5-3, and a strong showing from Sanders could reshape the Browns' quarterback plans heading into 2027 — while a shaky one would only add to the scrutiny that has followed him since draft night.