As expected, it will be Shedeur Sanders’ show for the Cleveland Browns as he makes his first start of the 2026 season against the New Orleans Saints.
According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, he won’t have veteran Deshaun Watson breathing down his neck in this one, either.
Per Fowler, Watson cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol after practicing on Friday but will be among the Browns’ game-day inactives against the Saints.
“Watson only practiced once, and Shedeur Sanders will start,” Fowler wrote, echoing what Browns head coach Todd Monken said on Friday. “The Browns expect Watson back for Week 10 vs Houston.”
Dillon Gabriel is expected to be active for his first game of the season as Sanders’ backup, Fowler added.
That information provides some clues on Cleveland’s 48-man depth chart for Week 9, though the official inactives will be announced about 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
Cleveland Browns inactives prediction for Week 9 vs. Saints
- Taylen Green (emergency QB3 designation)
- Deshaun Watson, QB
- Maliek Collins, DT
- Justin Jefferson, LB
- Noah Igbinoghene, CB
- Parker Brailsford, C
Collins was ruled out on Friday with an elbow injury, so Week 9 will be the first game the veteran has missed this season. Cleveland elevated Sam Kamara off the practice squad for defensive line depth.
Jefferson, Igbinoghene, and Brailsford have been Cleveland’s usual inactive players on game days and there’s no reason to expect that to change against New Orleans.
Cleveland Browns full projected depth chart vs. Saints
Quarterback (2): Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel
- Monken’s decision not to keep Watson in the mix as at least the emergency QB3 is somewhat surprising. Watson wasn’t able to take any team reps during the week of practice due to the league’s return-to-play protocol, but he did log a limited session on Friday and was cleared. The lack of practice reps aside, why wouldn’t the Browns want their top quarterback available at least in an emergency situation if he’s healthy?
Running back (3): Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Jaleel McLaughlin
Fullback (1): Michael Burton
- No surprises here after the Browns waived running back Audric Estime on Nov. 2. Judkins and Sampson should work as the Browns’ top two backs with McLaughlin getting reps in the kick return game.
Tight end (3): Harold Fannin Jr., Blake Whiteheart, Carsen Ryan
- The Browns appear to have survived a slight injury scare with Fannin, who was added to the injury report on Thursday with a groin issue. He was back at practice on Friday, though, and should be a full-go against the Saints. … It’s been an adventure for Ryan, Cleveland’s seventh-round rookie who has now been waived, signed back to the practice squad, and elevated back to the active roster in consecutive weeks.
Wide receiver (6): Denzel Boston, KC Concepcion, Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, Tylan Wallace, Malachi Corley
- No surprises here, either. Boston was limited by a calf injury throughout the week but returned to a full practice session Friday. Bond could be a player to watch, as he had his best games last year with Sanders at quarterback.
Offensive line (8): Spencer Fano, Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins, Austin Barber, Tytus Howard, Dawand Jones, Luke Wypler, Zak Zinter
- The health of Cleveland’s offensive line has been an underrated factor in the team’s 5-3 start. All five starters should be good to go against the Saints, despite Barber (calf) and Jenkins (knee) working through injuries this week. Both Barber and Jenkins practiced in full on Friday.
Defensive line (8): Jared Verse, Mason Graham, Mike Hall Jr., Isaiah McGuire, Adin Huntington, Derek Barnett, Sam Williams, Sam Kamara
- Maliek Collins missing his first game of the season should open up more opportunities for Hall, who made his return off injured reserve last week and played 28 snaps. … The Browns will have their full group of defensive ends, with all eyes on Verse; he’s yet to record his first sack and is trending toward the worst statistical season of his young career.
Linebackers (4): Carson Schwesinger, Quincy Williams, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Winston Reid
- The health of Cleveland’s starting linebackers, Schwesinger and Williams, is always a storyline, as the depth of this group thins out in a hurry behind them. Schwesinger has been dealing with wrist and ankle injuries. Williams was limited all week while managing a sore hamstring. In a perfect world, both players rarely leave the field against New Orleans, with Mascarenas-Arnold and Reid serving as depth options and core special teams players.
Defensive backs (10): Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, Tyson Campbell, Myles Harden, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Mekhi Blackmon, Toriando Pride Jr., Daniel Thomas, Donovan McMillon
Cleveland’s secondary is fully loaded, and that’s a good thing against a sneaky-good Saints passing attack that’s getting first-round rookie Jordyn Tyson back for this game. Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, and tight end Juwan Johnson are all dangerous pass catchers the Browns will need to account for. … Pride Jr., a rookie, has been carving out a role on special teams in recent weeks.
Specialists (3): Andre Szmyt, Corey Bojorquez, Rex Sunahara
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