The Cleveland Browns will start Shedeur Sanders at quarterback Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, with Deshaun Watson still working through the concussion protocol.

The timeline: Sanders briefly replaced Watson during last Sunday's loss in Pittsburgh, and Watson reported concussion symptoms Monday night after the game, per Yahoo Sports. Watson returned to practice Friday — a sign of progress in his recovery — but remains in protocol and will be listed as questionable, according to NBC Sports. The Browns aren't waiting on that designation to settle their depth chart; the announcement out of Berea made Sanders the Week 9 starter outright.

For the second-year quarterback, it's the opportunity the Cleveland market has been circling since he arrived: a full week of first-team preparation and a road start, rather than a mid-game relief appearance. How the offense functions with Sanders running it from the opening snap will be the story of the Browns' trip to New Orleans.

Watson's status beyond Week 9 now hinges on clearing protocol. Until then, the job belongs to Sanders — and a strong showing against the Saints would make the ensuing quarterback conversation in Cleveland considerably louder.