Shedeur Sanders is moving closer to a start against the New Orleans Saints, but the Cleveland Browns now have an injury concern involving their leading receiver.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. was added to Cleveland’s injury report Thursday as a limited participant with a groin injury. Deshaun Watson missed a second consecutive practice with a concussion, leaving Sanders positioned to take over Sunday.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Sanders is in line to start while Watson remains in concussion protocol. Cleveland had not assigned either Watson or Fannin a final game designation on its Thursday report.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson did not practice again Thursday while he remains in concussion protocol; Shedeur Sanders is in line to start Sunday vs. the Saints.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 5, 2026
That leaves two separate questions for the Browns: who will run the offense, and whether its most productive pass catcher will be fully available.
Harold Fannin Jr.’s injury follows a career game
Fannin’s addition matters because Cleveland has increasingly leaned on him in the passing game. He set career-highs with 10 catches and 154 receiving yards in the 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He leads the Browns with 35 receptions and 411 receiving yards this season. Over the past two games, he has produced 245 receiving yards on 21 targets.
Those numbers make his practice status particularly relevant during a potential quarterback change. Sanders could have a heavily involved target available to help him settle in, but Thursday’s report adds uncertainty to that possibility.
A limited practice does not establish that Fannin will miss the game. Cleveland also needs more support from the rest of its offense.
The Browns allowed eight sacks and finished with 34 rushing yards against Pittsburgh, leaving little margin for their passing game to recover from mistakes.
How the Browns are preparing Shedeur Sanders
Head coach Todd Monken said Wednesday that Sanders would receive the first-team work, with additional walkthroughs and meetings planned to help prepare him.
Monken had not ruled Watson out, but acknowledged that the situation was more difficult for a quarterback than for another position.
By Thursday, offensive coordinator Travis Switzer had seen an encouraging first practice from Sanders. He pointed to the quarterback’s management of the huddle, decision-making and willingness to use shorter options when appropriate.
“His urgency and his ability to command and operate was good,” Switzer said in his Thursday news conference.
Switzer also explained that the staff had kept Sanders involved through questions in meetings and occasional walkthrough opportunities while Watson received the starter’s practice work. That preparation now has a more immediate purpose.
The coordinator said Sanders’ athleticism would allow Cleveland to retain some run-pass options or designed quarterback runs if they fit the matchup.
The opponent, rather than the quarterback change alone, would help determine how much of that appears in the plan.
Sanders focuses on the assignment ahead
Sanders emphasized continuity when speaking with reporters Wednesday. He said offseason work with his receivers gave him experience to draw on and credited his rookie-season opportunities with showing him where he needed to improve.
“Just go out there and trust my teammates, trust the game plan and do everything I can,” Sanders said.
He also resisted framing his opportunity as a criticism of Watson, saying his responsibility was to handle his own assignment without trying to do too much.
For now, Sanders is preparing for the possibility of leading Cleveland in New Orleans. Fannin’s next practice update will help clarify what that offense could look like around him.
