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Browns pick Hogan over Kizer to start vs. Texans

Scott R. Galvin / USA TODAY Sports

After five starts, rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer has been sent to the bench.

Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson named backup Kevin Hogan as the starter for the team's next game against the Houston Texans.

"I've made the decision to start Kevin this week," Jackson said in a statement Wednesday. "We've liked what Kevin has been able to do within our offense when he's been in there and he will start on Sunday because that's what we feel is best for our team at this point in time."

Kizer was benched during the team's Week 5 loss to the New York Jets. He went 8-for-17 for 87 yards and an interception thrown in the red zone. He also lost a fumble before being replaced by Hogan.

Hogan went 16-for-19 for 194 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in relief.

The Browns used their 52nd overall pick to draft Kizer in April and named him the team's starting quarterback after the preseason. Though he has shown flashes, he's also thrown nine interceptions and lost two fumbles in just five games.

"This does not change the way we feel about DeShone going forward," Jackson said of his decision to bench the rookie. "He has worked extremely hard and still very much has a bright future. Right now, it's better for him and his development to back up Kevin."

The move spares the winless Browns from a matchup between Kizer and Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Cleveland passed on Watson and elected to take pass-rusher Myles Garrett with the first pick of this year's draft. Watson has started the past four games for Houston and led the team to a 2-2 record in that span, throwing for 11 touchdown passes and rushing for two more.

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