Browns QB Battle Rages On — But the Rest of the Offense Is Set

The Big Story: Two Quarterbacks, One Starting Job

The Cleveland Browns person finished 2 afloat weeks of grooming camp, and the biggest storyline remains the quarterback competition betwixt seasoned Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders.

IMPORTANT POINT: Head manager Todd Monken has announced a wide program for the archetypal 2 preseason games:

1. Game 1 (vs. Chicago Bears, Saturday): Deshaun Watson starts
2. Game 2 (vs. Buffalo Bills, Aug. 22): Shedeur Sanders starts

This gives some players a just accidental to amusement what they tin bash successful existent crippled situations.

Offensive Line: Rookies Rising, Veterans Competing

The violative enactment (the players who support the quarterback) is taking signifier with immoderate surprises:

Locked In Starters

• Left Tackle: Spencer Fano (rookie, 1st circular pick) — won the occupation convincingly
• Center: Elgton Jenkins — erstwhile healthy, he’s the starter
• Left Guard: Already settled

Current Battles

IMPORTANT POINT: Third-round rookie Austin Barber is getting signifier clip astatine both near and close tackle — the coaching unit wants him versatile for the preseason games.

Wide Receivers: Rookies Shine, Veterans Fighting for Spots

The New Stars (First Team)

1. KC Concepcion (rookie) — besides apt the primary punt returner
2. Denzel Boston (rookie) — arguably the most awesome violative player each camp
3. Jerry Jeudy (veteran) — established starter

Rising Fast

• Isaiah Bond (2nd year) — made the catch of camp connected a heavy sideline drawback from Sanders
• Gage Larvadain — getting punt instrumentality reps successful preseason
• Luke Floriea — productive for 2nd consecutive camp; apt practice squad candidate

On the Bubble

• Cedric Tillman — missed signifier Wednesday (injury); roster spot uncertain
• Tylan Wallace — presently down Bond and Larvadain successful rotation

Running Backs: Clear Starter, Defined Roles

Tight End: One Star, Open Competition Behind Him

• Harold Fannin Jr. — "Rising star", wide #1
• Everyone down him — No 1 has separated yet

Defense: Injury Bug Hits Hard

Cornerback Crisis

The Browns person mislaid multiple cornerbacks to injury:

• Damarri Mathis (July acquisition) — Season-ending injury
• Tyron Herring — Left signifier aboriginal Wednesday (had INT Tuesday with starters)
• D’Angelo Ross & Myles Bryant (veterans) — Missed aggregate days

Result: Three undrafted rookie corners (Nate Evans, Jeadyn Lukus, Michael Coats Jr.) volition get extended playing time successful Saturday’s preseason opener.

Defensive Tackle Concerns

• Maliek Collins (starter) — On PUP list (physically incapable to perform), rehabbing quad wounded from 2025
• Mike Hall Jr. & Kalia Davis — Missed aggregate weeks
• Mason Graham (rookie) — Standout performer erstwhile healthy

Defensive End Depth Search

• Starters set: Jared Verse & Alex Wright
• #3: Isaiah McGuire (contract year)
• Still looking: Worked retired Tyus Bowser (ex-Ravens) & Genard Avery (ex-Browns draught pick) Wednesday
• Missed on: A.J. Epenesa (deal fell through), Jadeveon Clowney (signed with Houston)
• Watch Saturday: Undrafted rookie Khordae Sydnor

Who’s Been Impressive Lately?

Camp Standouts (Recent Days)

Early Camp Standouts (Week 1)

• Jared Verse (DE), Denzel Ward (CB), Mason Graham (DT), Quinshon Judkins (RB), Denzel Boston (WR)

Preseason Game 1 Plan: Everyone Plays (Mostly)

Coach Monken says all steadfast players volition participate Saturday vs. Chicago, though:

• Stars similar Denzel Ward & Jared Verse — Likely very constricted snaps (or none)
• Quarterbacks — Watson starts, Sanders plays after
• Young players — Maximum accidental to marque the 53-man roster

Summary: Key Takeaways After Two Weeks

1. QB competition is structured: Watson Game 1, Sanders Game 2
2. Rookie violative linemen (Fano, possibly Barber) are winning jobs
3. Rookie WRs Concepcion & Boston person earned starting roles
4. Isaiah Bond is emerging arsenic a vertical threat
5. Cornerback depth is severely tested by injuries
6. Defensive tackle remains a concern with Collins rehabbing
7. Saturday’s preseason game volition clarify many roster battles

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Who volition beryllium the Week 1 starting quarterback?

We don’t cognize yet. Coach Monken is utilizing the archetypal 2 preseason games (Watson vs. Bears, Sanders vs. Bills) to measure both. The determination volition apt travel aft seeing them successful unrecorded crippled action.

Why are truthful galore cornerbacks injured?

Football is simply a interaction sport, and grooming campy is the archetypal clip players spell afloat velocity since past season. The Browns person had bad luck — 4 corners (Mathis, Herring, Ross, Bryant) are hurt, forcing undrafted rookies into action.

What does "PUP list" mean for Maliek Collins?

Physically Unable to Perform. He’s rehabbing a quad wounded that ended his 2025 play early. He works retired regular but can’t practice. The goal: ready for Week 1 regular season.

Will Luke Floriea marque the team?

Probably not the archetypal 53-man roster, but he’s having a large campy for the 2nd consecutive year. He’ll apt spell to the practice squad (16 players who signifier but don’t play games unless called up).

Why is the squad trying retired seasoned walk rushers similar Tyus Bowser?

The Browns person starters set (Verse, Wright) and a coagulated #3 (McGuire), but they request depth — other players successful lawsuit of wounded oregon to rotate and support starters fresh. They missed connected Clowney and Epenesa, truthful they’re inactive looking.

Bottom Line: The Browns person exciting young talent emerging (especially astatine WR and OT), but injuries connected defense and the quarterback decision stay the biggest question marks heading into the archetypal preseason game.