Browns to Start Deshaun Watson Next Week vs Texans

The Cleveland Browns plan to start Deshaun Watson in Week 10 vs. the Houston Texans, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Watson missed Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints.

Watson, who began his career with the Texans, has 1,806 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, three interceptions, 217 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown this season. He's completing 65.5% of his passes. 

Watson is 14-13 with the Browns. He has 5,171 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 682 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in a Cleveland uniform. 

During the first quarter last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit. The ATC spotter called down to the sideline and the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) administered a game-day concussion evaluation.

Watson was cleared by the UNC and returned for the Browns' next offensive series. As part of the protocol, the team's medical staff evaluated him again postgame and on Monday morning.

Both times, Watson showed no symptoms, passed his evaluations and was cleared.

However, on Tuesday morning, Watson reported to the medical staff that he began experiencing concussion symptoms on Monday night and was immediately placed in the concussion protocol.

The Texans are 3-5. Watson spent the first four years of his NFL career in Houston. He made three Pro Bowls and put up 14,539 passing yards, 104 passing touchdowns, 1,677 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns in the regular season. 

Houston traded Watson to Cleveland in March 2022. The Browns then signed the QB to a five-year, $230 million extension. 

Watson was suspended for 11 games in 2022 for conduct detrimental to the league. More than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions.

Cleveland lost to New Orleans 23-22 in overtime, dropping to 5-4 on the season. Shedeur Sanders went 19/31 through the air for 297 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints. He was sacked five times and had 28 rushing yards. 

Sanders nearly led the Browns to a win, but Cleveland didn't convert on the two-point conversion in overtime.

It will be interesting to see how Watson performs against his old team. The Texans are giving up 24.0 points per game. That's 17th in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Browns are averaging 17.9 points per contest. That's 29th in the league. 

Cleveland's defense has been solid in Year 1 of the Todd Monken era, giving up only 21.8 points per game. That's 13th in the NFL.