Browns HC Addresses Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson QB1 Status amid Latest NFL Rumors

The Cleveland Browns have not yet named a starting quarterback for their next game against the Houston Texans.

"I really haven't thought through it other than getting through this morning's tape," head coach Todd Monken told reporters on Monday. "We just got done meeting with the guys, they'll flush the game and then we'll have a chance to meet offensively more extensively a little bit later today."

Shedeur Sanders started in place of the injured Deshaun Watson in Week 9. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Monday the team was planning to turn back to the veteran Watson.

However, it seems the question remains in doubt.

Cleveland leaned on Shedeur Sanders as the starter for Sunday's 23-22 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints after a concussion limited Watson's availability in practice leading up to the game.

Sanders went 19-of-31 for 297 yards and two touchdowns against New Orleans. A big chunk of his overall output (124 yards) came on a pair of completions to Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion.

The second-year signal-caller wasn't perfect but seemingly did enough to warrant another look. Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher was among those lobbying on Sanders' behalf:

In addition to what Sanders put on tape in Week 9, Watson didn't make a compelling argument for himself prior to the concussion. In eight starts, he's averaging 225.8 yards per game and has been sacked 33 times.

The three-time Pro Bowler isn't as sharp as he was during his peak with the Houston Texans, and he looks particularly shaky in the face of pressure.

For what it's worth, Monken did confirm that a player could lose a starting job while being out for injury.

"It's week to week," the coach said. "A player doesn't lose or win a job ... I don't know what that means. Each week we put the best players on the field that give us a chance to win."

The Browns are in the thick of the AFC playoff race at 5-4, and coach Todd Monken will be operating with that in mind, rather than developing one player long term.