Cleveland will return to Deshaun Watson at quarterback against Houston on Sunday, with coach Todd Monken choosing him over Shedeur Sanders after Watson missed one game because of a concussion.

Monken announced the decision Wednesday, according to Associated Press reporting published by Sportsnet. He had left the position unsettled Monday, saying he wanted to consult his offensive staff before deciding who would start.

The Browns are 5-4 and remain in the playoff chase. Watson has led Cleveland to five comeback wins this season, and the Houston matchup will be his third appearance against the team that drafted him in 2017. The Texans traded him to Cleveland five years later.

Watson sustained a concussion during the first quarter of Cleveland’s Nov. 1 game against Pittsburgh. He missed only one play and finished the 27-6 defeat, but did not show symptoms until the following day, AP reported.

He cleared concussion protocol Saturday. By then, Sanders had taken all the practice snaps during the week, and Monken chose to start him against New Orleans.

Sanders struggled through the first three quarters against the Saints before producing several positive plays in the fourth quarter and overtime. He finished with 297 passing yards, two touchdowns and a 114.6 passer rating as Cleveland lost 23-22 in overtime.

That performance, which nearly brought the Browns back for a win, gave Monken reason to consider keeping Sanders in the starting role for the Houston game. Sanders made seven starts as a rookie last season.

Instead, Monken, who is in his first season as Cleveland’s head coach, is returning to Watson with the Browns still in contention. Watson is in the final year of his contract.

Sources