NFL Player News

Deshaun Watson will get the start in Saturday's preseason opener against the Bears, while Sanders will draw the start in the team's Aug. 22 contest against the Bills.

Per coach Todd Monken, each quarterback will likely play a half during the team's first preseason game, as he wants to have both Watson and Sanders experience a two-minute situation Saturday. For now, Watson and Sanders -- who are listed as co-starters on the team's unofficial depth chart -- continue to share first-team practice reps, with Monken having yet to outline a timetable for selecting his Week 1 starter.

Watson will start Saturday's preseason game at Chicago, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.

Coach Todd Monken relayed Wednesday that whoever starts Cleveland's preseason opener between Watson and Shedeur Sanders will play the first half, with the other entering the contest afterward. Then, the order will switch for the team's second exhibition Saturday, Aug. 22, against the Bills. Watson and Sanders have been alternating days working with the first-team offense in most practices during training camp, but Watson will get the first chance in a game to stake a claim to the No. 1 gig.

Coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Rush will rotate into Friday's preseason game versus the Broncos, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Per Stefanski, Tua Tagovailoa (back) is getting the nod to start in Atlanta's preseason opener, and Rush will be the team's next man up at quarterback. The Falcons have yet to name their starting signal caller for Week 1 of the regular season, as 2024 first-rounder Michael Penix continues to recover from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 11 of the 2025 campaign.

Nix isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Falcons, James Palmer of The Athletic reports.

Per Palmer, the Broncos' franchise QB is, however, on track to see action Aug. 21 against the Packers, as well as in the team's Aug. 28 preseason finale, per coach Sean Payton, who noted that the signal-caller has practiced fully since the start of training camp and has taken the same number of snaps as he did during last year's camp, Jeff Legwold of ESPN reports. With Nix slated to sit versus Atlanta, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com relays that Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger are each in line to play a half on Friday.

Coach Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Browning (back) could still play in Friday's preseason game against the Jets, Jeff Dubrof of WFLA News Channel 8 reports.

Browning strained his back during Tuesday's joint practice with the Jets, but there's apparently still a chance he could suit up for the Buccaneers' preseason opener. If he can't though, Connor Bazelak would figure to be Tampa Bay's starting signal caller Friday.

Stroud is among the Texans' starters not expected to play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Chargers, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Per Alexander, Thursday's contest is likely to feature rookies and journeyman players trying to make the Texans' 53-man roster rather than established starters. In that scenario, Stroud's next chance to see preseason action will occur Aug. 20 against the Raiders. Davis Mills and Graham Mertz are available to handle QB reps against Los Angeles on Thursday.

The Ravens signed Reed on Wednesday, Quentin Corpuel of the team's official site reports.

In a corresponding transaction, Baltimore placed quarterback Skylar Thompson (undisclosed) on its injured reserve list. Reed most recently played professionally for the UFL's Dallas Renegades, and with them he threw for 1,923 yards and 21 touchdowns over 10 games as a starter.

Baltimore placed Thompson (undisclosed) on its injured reserve list Wednesday, Quentin Corpuel of the Ravens' official site reports.

In a corresponding transaction, Baltimore signed quarterback Austin Reed. It's still not fully clear what kind of injury Thompson is dealing with, but he's now on track to miss the entire 2026 season as he recovers.

Penix (knee) still hasn't been cleared for 11-on-11s and won't be available for Friday's preseason opener against Denver, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Limited to 7-on-7s at training camp, Penix may or may not play this preseason, but he at least figures to increase his practice involvement soon. Tua Tagovailoa will start Friday's exhibition and remain a strong favorite for the Week 1 nod, but Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski reiterated Wednesday that he isn't ready to name his Week 1 starter yet.

Tagovailoa will start Friday's preseason opener against Denver, but coach Kevin Stefanski isn't ready to name the Week 1 starter, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

Stefanski said Wednesday that the starters will stay in Friday's game for about 10 snaps or one series. For now, Tagovailoa is the starter by default with Michael Penix (knee) not yet cleared for contact or full-team drills. Stefanski is leaving the door open for Penix to earn the starting job, but that seems more likely to happen in-season than ahead of Week 1.