Browns Plan to Start Watson Against Texans After Sanders’ Strong Debut

The Browns intend to return to Deshaun Watson at quarterback for their game against Houston after Shedeur Sanders delivered a strong performance in his first start of the season. The decision comes as Cleveland sits at 5-3, third in the AFC North behind Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday’s overtime defeat to the Saints. His scoring throws included a 64-yard pass to rookie receiver KC Concepcion and a 39-yard touchdown reception by rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. during extra time. Cleveland’s loss was sealed when Sanders threw an incomplete pass on a two-point attempt.

Watson was sidelined after suffering a head injury in the Browns’ Week 8 loss to Pittsburgh. He resumed on-field work last Friday, but only in a restricted capacity. In the 27-6 defeat, he was sacked eight times and briefly left the game in the first quarter after a hard hit from Steelers defensive back Jaquan Brisker.

The game against Houston would be Watson’s first against the team that traded him to Cleveland in 2022. The deal included three future first-round picks from the Browns. Watson, 31, won the starting job over Sanders during the summer and helped Cleveland reach its 5-3 record.

Sanders, a 2025 fifth-round selection, had attempted only three passes in the Browns’ first eight games. He started seven regular-season games last season, going 3-4 while connecting on 56.6% of his throws, producing seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions.