Todd Monken Names Deshaun Watson Browns Starter Over Shedeur Sanders For Texans Clash

Browns Pick Deshaun Watson Over Shedeur Sanders For Texans© Instagram

Shedeur Sanders gave Cleveland something to discuss with his late rally in New Orleans. Todd Monken is going back to Deshaun Watson anyway.

The Browns coach confirmed Wednesday that Watson would start Sunday's home game against Houston after sitting out the 23–22 overtime loss to the Saints. Monken had declined to name his quarterback Monday, allowing the question to linger after Sanders threw two touchdown passes. By Wednesday, he said his intention had been to return to Watson, with a staff discussion coming before the public announcement.

Watson Returns After Missing Saints Game

Watson cleared concussion protocol November 7 but remained inactive against New Orleans after missing most of the practice week. He had returned for individual work Friday without taking team reps.

His absence followed a helmet-to-helmet hit against Pittsburgh. Watson initially returned to that game and passed another evaluation the following morning before later developing symptoms that he reported to Cleveland's medical staff.

Now he resumes a season in which the Browns won five of his eight starts. Watson has passed for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions, adding 217 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

The wins have required some late work. Each featured a fourth-quarter go-ahead drive led by Watson, giving Monken reason to trust him with Cleveland still in the playoff picture at 5–4.

“I anticipate him being our starter,” Monken said Wednesday.

Houston drafted Watson in 2017 before trading him to Cleveland in 2022. Sunday brings another meeting with his former team, followed by the Browns' Week 11 bye.

Sanders' Big Plays Keep The Debate Alive

Sanders finished 19-of-31 for 297 yards against the Saints, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Much of the damage came late: he threw for 197 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime.

A 64-yard touchdown to KC Concepcion Jr. put Cleveland ahead in the fourth. Sanders then found Harold Fannin Jr. for a 39-yard touchdown in overtime, only for the Browns' unsuccessful two-point attempt to end the game.

Monken praised Sanders afterward, noting how long he had gone without regular practice work alongside the starters.

The performance also exposed familiar problems. Cleveland managed only 19 first-quarter yards while collecting 25 yards in penalties, and New Orleans sacked Sanders five times. Watson has already taken 33 sacks this season.

Cleveland returns home after three consecutive road games. Monken has settled who gets the first snap against Houston; improving the offense before another fourth-quarter rescue is needed remains the bigger job.