RADIO
Todd Monken Not Naming a Starting QB Yet for Week 10
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is not naming a starting quarterback yet for Sunday's home game against the Houston Texans in Week 10, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "I really haven't thought through it other than getting through this morning's tape. We just got done meeting with the guys; they'll flush the game, and then we'll have a chance to meet offensively more extensively a little bit later today," Monken said. This is a direct contradiction to an earlier report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that suggested that Deshaun Watson (concussion) is expected to start against the Texans as long as he clears the league's concussion protocol. Watson was inactive on Sunday in the overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, and second-year QB Shedeur Sanders had a mostly positive showing, throwing for 297 yards and two touchdowns on 19-for-31 passing in his first start in 2026. Watson threw for over 300 yards in each of his last two starts, but he has not thrown for a touchdown in his last three games and leads the league with 33 sacks taken. We might have a QB controversy brewing in Cleveland, with neither signal-caller registering as much more than a low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Browns Plan to Start Deshaun Watson in Week 10
The Cleveland Browns plan to start quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) in Week 10 against the Houston Texans, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Shedeur Sanders filled in admirably in Sunday's overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, but returning to Watson was the expected move once he cleared the league's concussion protocol. Watson came out of last week's loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers with a concussion and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The 31-year-old veteran was able to practice on Friday, but it was too late to be cleared, and he was inactive on Sunday in the loss in the Big Easy. Barring a setback with his head injury this week, Watson is expected to return to the starting role under center for the Browns in their Week 10 matchup against the Texans. Sanders showed the kind of passing upside on Sunday that Watson has yet to display consistently in 2026, and he will have a less-than-ideal matchup in his return this weekend. Watson has gone over 300 passing yards in each of his last two starts against the Steelers and Tennessee Titans, but he has not thrown a touchdown since Oct. 11 and will be a low-end QB2, at best, in superflex formats in Week 10 if he officially clears concussion protocol and is active against Houston, his former team.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Shedeur Sanders Shines With a QB5 Finish in Week 9, Boosts Dynasty Stock
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He added 28 yards on 10 carries. He earned 23.68 fantasy points and finished QB5 of the week. Sanders had a nice fantasy outing, throwing a touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr. in overtime and giving the Browns a shot at a two-point conversion to win. Sanders will likely give way to Deshaun Watson (concussion) as the starter once he returns, as the Browns (5-4) are in the thick of the playoff race and Watson hasn't necessarily proven he deserves the starting job. However, Sanders put on an impressive tape that should only help his stock in dynasty formats. Sanders will keep waiver-wire appeal as long as he's starting for the Browns and Watson is out.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shedeur Sanders Solid in Overtime Loss
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He added 28 yards on 10 carries. Sanders was decent in relief of teammate Deshaun Watson (concussion) in Week 9. The second-year pro made some nice decisions and reads, but also fired a few misthrows as well. He notably underthrew both rookie wide receivers K.C. Concepcion Jr. (ankle) and Denzel Boston on wide-open deep attempts. However, both plays had positive outcomes due to outstanding effort by the wideout. All in all, it was a solid outing with no turnovers, while Sanders' rushing attempts were a career high. For now, Watson is expected to regain his starting role once he's cleared from a concussion, though it will be a situation to monitor until head coach Todd Monken gives definitive direction for their next game. Cleveland will face the visiting Houston Texans in Week 10.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Deshaun Watson Reportedly Inactive After Clearing Concussion Protocol
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Mary Kay Cabot. Watson returned to the Week 8 game against Pittsburgh after a concussion evaluation and reported symptoms to the team's medical staff Tuesday morning. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and was a limited participant Friday, when he went through individual drills. Cleveland listed him as questionable Friday, and he cleared the concussion protocol Saturday. Shedeur Sanders took the first-team reps throughout the week and will make his first start of the season, with Dillon Gabriel backing him up.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Deshaun Watson Expected to be Inactive Sunday, Should Return in Week 10
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson cleared concussion protocol on Saturday, but he is still expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that Watson is expected to return in Week 10. The Browns are presumably making Watson inactive this Sunday because he was in concussion protocol all week long, which means that he didn't get a chance to practice and prepare for the Saints. Projected starter Shedeur Sanders and backup Dillon Gabriel, on the other hand, went through a full week of practice and were able to prepare for the packages that we might see in Sunday's game. Watson will get back to a full level of participation in practice on Wednesday, putting him on track to play in Week 10 against the Houston Texans.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Deshaun Watson Cleared From Concussion Protocol, Remains Questionable
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (head) has been cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol on Saturday but remains questionable for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns already announced on Friday that second-year QB Shedeur Sanders will start against the Saints, but Watson will make the trip and could be active as Sanders' backup. The 31-year-old Watson did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday before getting in a limited practice on Friday, which gives him a chance to suit up this weekend. The three-time Pro Bowler has led Cleveland to a 5-3 record through the first eight weeks in 2026, but he leads the NFL in sacks taken (33) and has not thrown a touchdown pass in the last three games. The Browns have not given Watson a vote of confidence by saying that he will be their starter after Week 9, so if Sanders comes in and shows out in New Orleans, the team could have a QB controversy on their hands. Watson came into Week 9 as the QB17 overall in fantasy scoring with 1,806 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions in his eight starts.
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Shedeur Sanders To Start, Has Good Matchup Vs. Saints
Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints and has a nice matchup against a porous pass defense. Sanders gets the start with Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol and questionable to be available against the Saints. Sanders draws a matchup against the No. 28 ranked pass defense in the NFL as the Saints allow 372.7 pass yards per game and have given up 22 passing touchdowns this season. Sanders is a dual-threat quarterback and not only has the good passing matchup but he also carries the threat to run and scramble if plays break down. Sanders has yet to start this season and this is a big opportunity for him to show what he can do. He remains a risky spot start in fantasy but with the excellent matchup he carries a bit of promise as a low-end starting fantasy quarterback. As a fantasy manager, if you are bitten by the injury bug at the quarterback position, look to Sanders as a quarterback to plug into the lineup as a decent one-week option.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Deshaun Watson Questionable to Play on Sunday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is being listed as questionable to play on Sunday in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Watson entered the NFL's concussion protocol earlier this week and missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, although he returned to the field for Friday's session. Although the veteran signal-caller has not been technically ruled out this weekend, he will not start, as head coach Todd Monken announced that Shedeur Sanders will make the start under center with Watson still in the concussion protocol. If Watson is cleared by Sunday, he will be in a backup role in the Big Easy. Fantasy managers who have been using Watson in two-QB superflex leagues should be concerned that Watson could lose out on the starting gig if Sanders plays well in Week 9. The 31-year-old Watson leads the league with 33 sacks taken and has not thrown a touchdown pass since Oct. 11 in the loss to the New York Jets. If the Browns still view Watson as their starter after Week 9, his next chance to start will come in a Week 10 matchup at home against the Houston Texans.
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Shedeur Sanders to Start Vs. Saints
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said on Friday that second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start under center on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, according to Scott Petrak of The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. Deshaun Watson, who started in the first eight weeks of the season, entered the league's concussion protocol earlier this week and will not be cleared in time to take the field on Sunday, even though he is officially listed as questionable on the Browns' final injury report on Friday. It is unclear if Sanders will have a chance to start more games beyond this weekend for the Browns if he plays well, but it is certainly feasible after Watson has led the NFL in sacks taken (33) through eight weeks. The 24-year-old Sanders had his ups and downs in a starting role, as expected, as a rookie, but he was at least aggressive in pushing the ball downfield in Cleveland's offense. Sanders will not have an easy task on the road in New Orleans against a team coming off their bye, but he will have better downfield targets in rookie receivers KC Concepcion Jr. and Denzel Boston at his disposal. Fantasy managers should treat Sanders as a low-end QB2 option in Week 9 in superflex leagues.
Source: The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Source: The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Deshaun Watson Returns to Practice on Friday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) returned to practice on Friday as he makes his way through the league's concussion protocol, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. It is good progress for Watson, but it may be a little too late this week, as it was reported earlier on Friday that he is not expected to be cleared to play in the Week 9 contest on Sunday on the road against the New Orleans Saints. We should have more clarity on Watson's status when the Browns release their official injury report on Friday, but as of now, fantasy managers who have been using him in two-QB leagues should not be planning on having Watson available this weekend. If he is officially ruled out, second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders will be in line for his first start of 2026 in what will be a tough task on the road against a team coming off their bye. The 31-year-old Watson has led the Browns to a 5-3 record in his eight starts this year and has been a decent QB2 option in superflex leagues despite taking a league-high 33 sacks. He has thrown for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Deshaun Watson Not Expected to Play Sunday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is not expected to play in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. After finishing the Week 8 game, Watson was placed in concussion protocol on Wednesday and has not practiced this week. With Watson not expected to suit up against the Saints, second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders is slated to start. In seven career starts, Sanders has completed 116 of 196 passes for 1,353 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions, along with 20 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown. While this slightly affects the Browns' top playmakers, including KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, and Harold Fannin Jr., who didn't practice on Thursday, Sanders should still be able to use these weapons against a struggling Saints defense. If Watson is out in Week 9, fantasy managers should expect him to return in Week 10 against his former team, the Houston Texans.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Deshaun Watson Sidelined From Practice on Thursday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is still not practicing on Thursday after reporting delayed concussion symptoms following a Week 8 loss to the Steelers and landing in the NFL's concussion protocol. Watson has been the fantasy QB17 through eight weeks, but if he is unable to play in a Week 9 matchup with the Saints, Cleveland will turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders threw for less than 200 yards per game across his seven starts in 2025, while averaging a single touchdown per start. He did, however, form an obvious connection with tight end Harold Fannin Jr., while his propensity for throwing underneath could also help provide a usable fantasy floor for rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Deshaun Watson not practicing Wednesday, remains optimistic for Sunday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is not expected to practice on Wednesday after entering the NFL's concussion protocol this week, according to Scott Petrak of The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. However, head coach Todd Monken is not ruling Watson out, and he is optimistic that he will play on Sunday on the road against the New Orleans Saints, who are coming off their bye. Fantasy managers who have been using the 31-year-old veteran in two-QB superflex leagues should be formulating a backup plan for this week. If Watson cannot get cleared from the protocol by the start of the weekend, second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders would be in line for his first start of the 2026 season in a hostile environment against a well-rested Saints defense. We will be keeping a close eye on Watson's practice status this week, but so far, he is on the wrong side of questionable. Through the first eight weeks this year, Watson has been a serviceable QB2 in fantasy, throwing for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions to put him as the QB17 in overall fantasy points.
Source: The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Source: The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Shedeur Sanders Expected to Start Against Saints
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to start Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints if Deshaun Watson (concussion) cannot clear the league's protocol, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The expectation around the team is that Watson may have difficulty receiving clearance by Saturday, although Cleveland has not officially named a starter. Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit during Sunday's 27-6 loss to Pittsburgh and passed his initial evaluations before reporting delayed concussion symptoms Tuesday morning. Sanders briefly replaced him against the Steelers, completing both passes for two yards. The 24-year-old started seven games as a rookie in 2025, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. His limited NFL production makes him a risky fantasy option outside Superflex leagues, while a potential quarterback change introduces uncertainty for Harold Fannin Jr., Denzel Boston, and KC Concepcion Jr.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
