Browns to start Watson after Sanders throws for 297 yards
Coach Todd Monken has not officially named the Week 10 starter, but a source says Deshaun Watson will return to the lineup despite Shedeur Sanders' strong debut.
By Simon Bennett ·
The Cleveland Browns intend to place Deshaun Watson back under center for the Week 10 contest against the Houston Texans, according to a source who spoke with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Monday. This decision stands despite Shedeur Sanders delivering a notable performance in his first start of the season.
Sanders took the field Sunday in New Orleans for a 23-22 overtime loss to the Saints. He completed 19 passes on 31 attempts for 297 yards and two touchdowns. Watson did not clear concussion protocol until Saturday and remained inactive for the game.
Head coach Todd Monken told reporters on Monday that he had not yet made the final call. "I really haven't thought through it other than getting through this morning's tape," Monken said. He noted that the staff would hold more extensive offensive meetings later in the day to review the footage.
Monken praised Sanders for his composure in the pocket, particularly his checkdowns. He acknowledged it had been 10 weeks since the young quarterback last practiced with the first team. Monken described the performance as a mix of things to like and things to clean up, a result he called expected given the limited preparation.
Watson guided the Browns to a 5-3 record before Sunday, aided by an NFL-high five game-winning drives. However, he entered Week 9 with a 40.9 QBR, ranking 28th among 30 qualifying quarterbacks. Sanders posted a 39 QBR against New Orleans, the second-highest single-game mark of his career.
Sanders generated two passes of at least 60 yards in the second half, a total that doubled what Watson managed across his first eight games. He connected with rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston on a 60-yard completion and threw a 64-yard touchdown to rookie KC Concepcion late in the fourth quarter to give Cleveland a 13-9 lead.
The Browns went on to lose by one point after Sanders found Harold Fannin Jr. for a 39-yard touchdown late in the extra period. His final pass on a two-point attempt fell incomplete, sealing the defeat.
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