Browns Plan to Start Watson Against Texans

The Cleveland Browns are planning to start Deshaun Watson at quarterback against the Houston Texans in Week 10, according to a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, but coach Todd Monken had not made the decision official as of Monday.

Watson was cleared from concussion protocol on Saturday, before Cleveland’s Week 9 game, but did not start after missing practice time. Shedeur Sanders started instead and completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in the Browns’ 23-22 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Monken said Monday he had not thought through the decision beyond reviewing game tape. He said the team would put the players on the field who gave it the best chance to win. After the Saints game, he praised Sanders but declined to say whether the rookie had done enough to keep the job. His comments leave open the possibility that Cleveland could continue with Sanders.

Sanders’ start came after Watson was inactive despite clearing concussion protocol. Watson had missed two practices during the week, and reports said he had not taken part in team periods. The reports of a planned return to the starting role trace to Fowler; Cleveland had not publicly confirmed a Week...