CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Deshaun Watson won’t be designated for return from reserve/Physically Unable to Perform this week, a league source tells cleveland.com.
It means that with Dillon Gabriel still in the concussion protocol, Shedeur Sanders is expected to start Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders in Las Vegas, and fourth-year pro Bailey Zappe will be the backup. Sanders, who had his house broken into during Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the Ravens, will be the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999, barring some unexpected occurrence.
Zappe is currently on the practice squad and will be elevated for the game. He also served as QB2 during the loss to the Patriots in Week 8.
Gabriel suffered the concussion during the first half of Sunday’s 23-16 loss to the Ravens and was replaced by Sanders in the second half. He went 7 of 10 for 68 yards, with 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions for a 88.8 rating.
He remained in the concussion protocol on Monday, and is not expected to be cleared in time to prepare for the Raiders game. Sanders, who hasn’t gotten any first-team reps in practice, went 4 of 16 (25%) for 47 yards in six possessions, with no TDs and 1 INT for a 13.5 rating.
Watson, who underwent surgery in January to repair his re-ruptured Achilles, is coming along well in his rehab but is not ready to start practicing with the team. The Browns can open his 21-day practice window at any time, but it’s looking more and more like they might wait until the offseason workout program to put him back on the practice field.
The Browns want to err on the side of caution given the fact he had two surgeries on the Achilles, and not rush him back onto the field after only a couple of weeks of practice.
But Watson will be on the team in 2026, in the final year of his contract, barring some unforeseen circumstance.
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