Watson starting for Browns at QB against Texans after sitting out with concussion, watching Sanders

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson wasn't losing his starting job as Cleveland's quarterback because of an injury or Shedeur Sanders. Strangely, and perhaps suspiciously, it took first-year Browns coach Todd Monken a few days to make that clear. Watson will start on Sunday against the Houston Texans — his former team — after missing last week's game at New Orleans with a concussion and watching from the sideline as Sanders nearly rallied the Browns (5-4) to a win. Monken wouldn't address his QB situation during a Zoom call with reporters on Monday, insisting he wanted to speak with his staff first. He waited until Wednesday to formally announce that he's sticking with Watson over Sanders, who had some nice moments in Sunday's 23-22 overtime loss to the Saints . “I had no intention of Deshaun not being our starter,” said Monken, dismissing the idea he would make a change midseason. “Ultimately the full body of work,” Monken said in explaining his rationale for staying with Watson. "The previous eight games that we had played, Deshaun played pretty well. And that was my intention. I just wanted to make sure we’d run it by the staff before I said it publicly. “I don’t even know why I have to say it publicly because it’s really only our business in terms of who’s going to play and who’s not going to play. But he played well enough to earn to still be our starter.” Because of the Browns' muddled quarterbacking history, Monken's evasiveness earlier this week fueled speculation that the team was switching from Watson to Sanders, who made seven starts as a rookie in 2025 and has shown long-term potential. Watson never had a doubt he would be back in the lineup this week. The 31-year-old didn't sound as confident about the rest of this year. “That's up to Monk and the front office,” said Watson, who is in the final year of the historic $240 million guaranteed contract he signed with the Browns after being acquired from the Texans in a 2022 trade that reshaped both franchises. For the moment, Watson, who has led the Browns to five comeback wins this season, has Monken's trust. That's not to say the coach is displeased with Sanders, who passed for 297 yards last week and had the Browns a successful 2-point conversion away from a road win. Monken was asked if he gave real consideration to starting Sanders again. “Everything you’re considering, but ultimately Deshaun’s done a really good job for us,” he said. “Five and three as a starter. He’s worked awfully hard to get back. There’s a high belief in that and that’s nothing to take away from Shedeur because I thought he did a really good job and there’s a lot of room for improvement with both of them.” As long as the Browns are in the playoff race, it's likely that Watson will keep playing. But if he struggles (Watson hasn't thrown a TD pass in three games) or Cleveland's offense (ranked 29th in scoring) continues to sputter, Monken could turn to Sanders. The Browns have a bye next week before playing three straight home games. Monken gave an ambiguous answer when asked if he's made a prolonged committed to Watson. “I don’t look at it week to week and I don’t look at his long term,” he said. "We’re judged each week. I am. He is. Our team is. I anticipate him being our starter. It’s what he’s been. He’s been our starter. But we all control that. “Like I said, I anticipate him being the starter, but that’s, again, we’re week to week.” Watson sustained a concussion in the first quarter of a loss against Pittsburgh on Nov. 1, when he took a helmet-on-helmet hit from Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker. Watson missed only one play, finished the game and didn't show any symptoms until the next day. He was cleared from protocol on Saturday, but the Browns decided to play Sanders, who had taken all the snaps in practice. “I understood it,” Watson said when asked if he was disappointed in not being active. “If I played a different position, maybe so.” NOTES: Rookie WR Denzel Boston (toe) was in a walking boot, but Monken expects him to practice Thursday. ... Monken said he's not planning any changes to his offensive line despite a rash of issues, including penalties. ... DT Maliek Collins (elbow/illness) returned to practice after missing Sunday's game. ... S Ronnie Hickman (concussion), C Elgton Jenkins (knee) and FB Michael Burton (calf) were out. See AP’s full NFL coverage here