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The Browns plan to start Deshaun Watson against the Texans in Week 10, according to a source cited by ESPN, despite Shedeur Sanders’ productive fill-in performance Sunday. Coach Todd Monken had not publicly announced his choice Monday, and Watson had only just cleared concussion protocol before the Saints game.
The Cleveland Browns plan to start Deshaun Watson at quarterback in Week 10 against the Houston Texans, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Monday, one day after Shedeur Sanders threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-22 overtime loss to New Orleans. Coach Todd Monken had not publicly confirmed the decision, saying he was still reviewing the Saints game.
Sanders started Sunday because Watson did not clear the NFL’s concussion protocol until Saturday and was inactive for the game. Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards, with two touchdown passes, as Cleveland nearly won on the road. His final attempt, a pass on a two-point conversion try in overtime, fell incomplete.
After a quiet opening stretch, Sanders made two long completions in the second half: a 60-yard pass to rookie Denzel Boston and a 64-yard touchdown to rookie KC Concepcion that put the Browns ahead 13-9 late in the fourth quarter. Sanders also directed a late field-goal drive that sent the game to overtime and later connected with Harold Fannin Jr. for a 39-yard touchdown.
Monken praised Sanders’ composure and ability to make plays, while saying there was also work to do. ESPN reported that Watson had led Cleveland to a 5-3 record before Sunday. The outlet also said Watson entered Week 9 with a 40.9 QBR, ranked 28th among 30 qualifying quarterbacks; Sanders posted a 39 QBR against the Saints.
A Quarterback Choice After New Orleans
The reported plan puts the Browns’ season-long starter back in the lineup while leaving questions about how much Sunday’s performance changes Sanders’ standing. Sanders produced several high-impact plays and kept Cleveland in a close game, but the team is reportedly returning to Watson after his recovery from a concussion.
For Cleveland, the decision affects the offense’s preparation for a Week 10 matchup with Houston and the distribution of first-team practice reps. The Browns’ 5-3 record under Watson is a meaningful part of the case for continuity, while his reported QBR ranking points to an area the team may want to improve. Those figures describe different aspects of performance and do not, by themselves, establish why the team made its choice.
For Sanders, Sunday supplied a substantial opportunity after a long stretch without first-team reps. Monken’s comments recognized what he showed against the Saints, but the source-reported plan indicates that one strong start has not, so far, displaced Watson as the intended starter.
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Watson’s Absence and Sanders’ Start
Watson was Cleveland’s starting quarterback before missing the Saints game. According to ESPN, he did not clear concussion protocol until Saturday, too late to be active Sunday. Sanders therefore took the start and faced the Saints in a game Cleveland lost by one point in overtime.
Monken said Sanders had gone 10 weeks without reps with the first team. He credited work Sanders had received in training camp, but noted that it was not the same as regular first-team practice over the preceding months. Sanders’ two long completions against New Orleans were, ESPN reported, the first such throws in his Browns tenure to that point and doubled Watson’s total over his first eight games.
The Monday report rests on an unnamed source speaking to ESPN. In his public comments, Monken did not announce a starter and said he wanted to review the game film and meet with the offense before reaching or sharing a decision. The distinction matters: the reported plan is not the same as an official announcement from the coach.
““I’m awfully proud of him.””
— Todd Monken, Browns coach, speaking Monday about Sanders
The Starter Has Not Been Announced
As of Monken’s Monday comments, the coach had not formally announced the Week 10 starter. The plan for Watson to start comes from an unnamed source cited by ESPN, rather than a public team announcement. The team’s eventual confirmation, and whether anything changes during the week, were not established in the report.
The available account also does not detail Watson’s ongoing health status beyond saying he cleared concussion protocol Saturday, or specify how the Browns will divide quarterback practice reps. It is not clear whether Sanders will have a defined backup role or how the team will respond if Watson has a setback. The report does not attribute the decision to a single factor, so the relative weight of Watson’s record, his health and Sanders’ performance remains unknown.
Cleveland’s Week 10 Preparation
The Browns are due to prepare for the Houston Texans in Week 10, with the starting-quarterback question expected to be resolved through the team’s public announcement and practice work. Monken said Monday he planned to review the game film and meet with the offense before addressing the decision further.
Updates from the Browns during the week should clarify whether Watson takes the first-team reps and is officially named the starter. His availability after a recent concussion and Sanders’ place in the quarterback rotation are also points to watch. Until the team confirms its lineup, Watson’s planned return remains an ESPN-reported decision rather than a formal announcement from Cleveland.
Key Questions
Who is expected to start at quarterback for the Browns in Week 10?
A source told ESPN that Deshaun Watson is expected to start against the Houston Texans. Coach Todd Monken had not publicly confirmed the choice on Monday.
How did Shedeur Sanders perform against the Saints?
Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland’s 23-22 overtime loss. He also led a late drive that tied the game with a field goal.
Why did Sanders start Sunday?
Watson did not clear concussion protocol until Saturday and was inactive for the Saints game, according to ESPN. Sanders started in his place.
Has Cleveland officially confirmed Watson as the starter?
Not in the report. ESPN attributed the plan to an unnamed source, while Monken said Monday he was not ready to announce the starter.
When do the Browns play the Texans?
The Texans are Cleveland’s Week 10 opponent. The supplied report did not give a game date or kickoff time.
Source: espn.com
