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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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The Cleveland Browns have made an important decision at quarterback ahead of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints after Deshaun Watson cleared concussion protocol.
However, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Watson will remain inactive today, while backup Shedeur Sanders gets the start. This marks Sanders' first start of the NFL season, with the Browns looking to bounce back from last weekend's 26-7 loss to Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Watson played in a majority of that loss to the Steelers, completing 27 of 39 passes for 324 yards. However, a helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker sent him out of the game to the blue medical tent briefly. Brisker received a 15-yard penalty for the hit and was also fined $17,911 by the NFL, according to Saturday's updated accountability report.
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Upon further evaluation, it was determined that Watson had a concussion, and he was placed in the league's concussion protocol after the game. Watson missed Wednesday and Thursday's practices with the Browns and returned to practice on Friday in a limited, non-contact capacity.
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So far this season, Watson has guided the Browns to a 5-3 start and, at one time, they led the AFC North. The Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals sit ahead of them in the standings with one fewer loss each. Cleveland now faces the Saints on the road on Sunday, a team that has struggled to a 2-5 record.
The Browns used multiple starting QBs last season, including Dillon Gabriel and Joe Flacco, as Watson recovered from a torn Achilles injury and an ensuing setback.
Sanders took over as the Browns' starter for about the last half of last season. The former Colorado Buffaloes star played in a total of eight games with seven starts and went 3-4 in those starts.
He last started for the Browns this past January, leading the team to a 20-18 win over the Bengals. In that performance, he completed just 11 of 22 passes for 111 yards with no touchdowns, but also threw no interceptions.
That win came courtesy of Cleveland's defense and kicker. Devin Bush had a pick-six for a touchdown, and the Browns also had a fumble recovery for another touchdown. Andre Szmyt sealed the win with his field goal, and now-former Browns defensive star Myles Garrett set the all-time sacks record.
Overall, Sanders completed 56.6% of his passes last season for the Browns. He threw for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. Despite some criticism last season, he now has a major opportunity to prove himself by leading his team to a bounce-back win on the road.
The Cleveland Browns face the New Orleans Saints at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 8.
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