On Sunday, the Houston Texans will be facing a familiar face when they take on the Cleveland Browns and former Texans’ quarterback, DeShaun Watson.
Watson, the 2017 first-round pick and former face of the Texans' franchise, is expected to start after not playing last week against the New Orleans Saints.
“What I've seen from Deshaun, I've seen a guy who's being very decisive with the football. He's getting the ball out of his hands very quickly. When it's not there, it's his athletic ability to escape the pocket. He's moving up and out through the pocket,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “They have some design quarterback runs for him as well, so he's using his athleticism. But also, if it's open, he's going to put the guys in there. We have to be where
we're supposed to be, or he'll make you pay."
Once thought to be the hero of Houston, Watson played in 54 games, guiding the AFC South franchise to two playoff appearances in 2018 and 2019. His most successful season in 2020, when he broke franchise records and led the NFL in passing yards amid a 4-win campaign.
Watson still has the second-most passing yards of any quarterback in Texans’ history, but current quarterback C.J. Stroud could surpass him by the end of this season. Currently, Stroud is on pace to throw for 4,300-plus yards and 34 touchdowns.
Despite the history between Watson and the Texans, head coach Ryans is solely focused on getting his fourth win on the season and keeping the team's playoff hopes alive.
"The thing that showed up the most for me watching the Browns throughout this year is how they performed in those clutch moments," Ryans said. "In those two-minute moments, situations, Deshaun has really rose to the occasion. He's made some really big plays to put their team in position to win a lot of football games.”
Watson has only faced Houston once in his career, which was back in December of 2022. Cleveland won that game 27-14 despite Watson only throwing for 131 yards and no touchdowns.
Kickoff on FOX is scheduled for Noon.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: DeMeco Ryans reacts to facing former Texans QB DeShaun Watson vs Browns
