Watson reclaims the start against his former team after clearing concussion protocol, even though Sanders threw for 297 yards and two scores in a loss to the Saints.
Todd Monken confirmed Wednesday what he wouldn't say on Monday: Deshaun Watson is back under center for Cleveland's Week 10 matchup with Houston, his former team. Watson missed last week's game after sitting out practice time in concussion protocol, opening the door for Shedeur Sanders to make his first start of the season.
Sanders didn't exactly stumble through the opportunity. He went 19-for-31 for 297 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-22 overtime loss to the Saints, numbers that would normally make a coach think twice. Monken didn't think twice. He pointed to Watson's body of work over the team's previous eight games as justification, saying Watson "played pretty well" and that handing the job back was his intention all along, pending a conversation with his staff.
Adding some noise to the decision, CBS Sports' A.J. Ross reported that during game-planning, Monken asked Sanders which plays he felt most comfortable running for the opening drive, and Sanders reportedly suggested plays that raised eyebrows among observers. The report has fueled fresh doubt about Sanders' readiness to lead a franchise, even after a performance that kept Cleveland in a one-score game into overtime.
Watson starts Sunday against the Texans.