Browns name Dillon Gabriel backup to Shedeur Sanders for Saints game

The Cleveland Browns announced that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, with Dillon Gabriel moving up to the backup role, according to ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler.

Cleveland listed veteran Deshaun Watson as questionable after he missed recent practices while recovering from a concussion. Watson has cleared the league’s concussion protocol, but the team said it is not taking any risks with the three-time Pro Bowler.

Coach Todd Monken said the decision to keep Sanders as the starter and promote Gabriel was based on the team’s overall performance and depth-chart considerations. Sanders, a left-handed rookie, has not played since December and previously recorded 937 passing yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions in ten games. Watson, 31, was evaluated for a concussion during the Browns’ 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and experienced symptoms again earlier in the week.