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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Despite a strong performance from backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns are reportedly turning back to Deshaun Watson as their starter against the Houston Texans.
Watson spent the first five seasons of his NFL career playing for the Texans, enjoying one of his best statistical campaigns with Houston in 2020 and several playoff appearances. Now he'll attempt to guide the 5-4 Browns past his former team as CJ Stroud and company visit Cleveland.
The major decision, reported via Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot from league sources, arrives one week after backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders started for the Browns against the New Orleans Saints due to Watson being in the concussion protocol.
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Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions and nearly led his team to an overtime win.
Despite Sanders' impressive showing, the Browns ultimately fell short in overtime, losing 23-22 to New Orleans. With Watson having cleared concussion protocol, head coach Todd Monken is reportedly going back to him for the Texans game.
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Sanders' recent performance featured him throwing a touchdown pass to teammate Harold Fannin Jr. in overtime. However, the Browns failed to complete a two-point conversion, with Sanders' pass to Denzel Boston falling incomplete.
Sanders' performance against New Orleans was encouraging, and Monken also praised him following the near-rally to defeat New Orleans. The Browns coach said he was "awfully proud" of him and that "there was a lot to build on."
"It’s been 10 weeks since he had reps with the ones. I thought he battled, I thought he showed composure in the pocket, getting to his checkdowns at times. He made plays with his feet and escaping," Monken said after the game, per Cleveland.com. "He made the scramble play to Jerry [Jeudy]. He made a big third-down conversion early, and he made one right there in four-minute, right before the holding call that gave us a first down. So that’s what you wanted to see."
Watson now reclaims his previous starting role, leaving Sanders waiting in the wings for another chance to shine.
So far this season, Watson has thrown for 1,806 passing yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions, leading the Browns to a 5-3 record in his eight starts. He now faces his former team, the Texans, who are 3-5 after defeating the still-winless Los Angeles Chargers.
The Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans will face off on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. ET.
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