The Browns are handing Shedeur Sanders the keys even with Watson back at practice

Deshaun Watson made it back onto the practice field Friday. Todd Monken still gave the start to Shedeur Sanders.

Todd Monken named Shedeur Sanders the starter against the Saints, with Watson still in the concussion protocol and limited to individual work. Mary Kay Cabot, Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter all reported the same call within minutes. Browns.com posted the club version with Monken saying he is "fired up" to see Sanders play.

Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit in Pittsburgh, cleared to return that day, then reported symptoms Monday night and entered the protocol. He missed Wednesday and Thursday before the limited Friday session. Monken's standard is simple: no team reps, no start. He has not even committed to activating Watson if the protocol clears Saturday.

Sanders lost the summer competition and has three completions for 2 yards this year. He also started seven games as a rookie. Cleveland is 5-3 and coming off a six-point afternoon in Pittsburgh. The Saints are waiting in the Superdome at 1 p.m. ET. This is the look Monken said he wanted when he split camp reps. Now it is a real game.