Browns keep Week 10 quarterback decision pending

Cleveland’s quarterback choice for the Week 10 game against the Texans remained unsettled on November 9, 2026, with Browns head coach Todd Monken declining to identify his starter. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler had reported that Deshaun Watson would return after sitting out the Saints game.

With Watson in concussion protocol and absent from the first two practice days, Shedeur Sanders got the start against the Saints. He finished 19-of-31 for 297 yards, with two touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Monken said further discussions among offensive coaches were needed following their review of the game footage. He commended Sanders’ composure, ability to escape pressure and distribution of the ball, despite a 10-week gap since his last first-team practice reps. Monken also acknowledged mistakes in both his coaching and Sanders’ play.

Watson opened the season as the starter for Cleveland’s first eight games and delivered five game-winning drives, accounting for all five Browns victories. Monken rejected framing the decision as a question of someone losing a job through injury, saying his weekly selections were based on which players gave Cleveland its best opportunity to win.