NFL Player News

Sanders will open the season as the Browns' backup quarterback after the team named Deshaun Watson its starter Monday, multiple sources tell NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.

Sanders and Watson had been battling for the job since the start of the offseason program and alternated starts in the Browns' first two preseason tilts. Between losses to the Bears and Bills, Sanders completed 15 of 22 attempts for 153 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. While Watson didn't fare dramatically better than Sanders in the two exhibition games, his superior performance during camp practices in addition to his greater NFL experience and pricey contract were likely major factors in him emerging as the victor in the job battle. Watson is unlikely to head into Week 1 with a long leash, however, and Sanders should have a good chance at making starts in 2026 if the Browns limp out to a poor start to the season.

The Browns named Watson their starting quarterback Monday, multiple sources tell NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.

Watson won out in a job battle with Shedeur Sanders, after the quarterbacks alternated starts in the Browns' first two preseason contests. After an efficient showing in the preseason opener against the Bears (11-for-15 for 126 yards), Watson was unproductive over his four second-half drives in Saturday's 31-7 exhibition loss to the Bills, completing just five of 12 throws for 36 yards and an interception. The Browns were apparently encouraged enough from what they've seen from Watson over the course of training camp and the first two preseason tilts to move forward with him as their starter heading into the regular season, but he'll most likely be on a short leash. Since joining the Browns in 2022, Watson has posted a lowly 33.1 QBR while being limited to 19 total games due to injuries, including a torn right Achilles tendon and a subsequent re-rupture that kept him out for the entire 2025 season.

Lock completed 12 of 14 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown while rushing twice for eight yards in Sunday's 19-16 preseason loss to the Titans.

Lock started with Sam Darnold resting, and the veteran backup posted a sharp performance as Seattle's backups outplayed Tennessee's starters. All 16 of the Seahawks' points came in the first quarter. Any lingering doubts about Lock securing the second spot on the depth chart over 2025 third-round pick Jalen Milroe were erased by Milroe's poor second-half performance, as the former Alabama QB threw for just 52 yards with two interceptions.

Ward completed eight of 12 passes for 69 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Sunday's 19-16 preseason win over the Seahawks.

Ward put forward a second consecutive uninspiring preseason performance, as the Titans trailed Seattle's backups 16-3 after his three drives in the game. He also had the ball knocked out of his hands while scrambling for a fumble out of bounds that went down as a sack. The 2025 first overall pick has averaged just 5.3 yards per pass attempt while failing to throw a touchdown pass this preseason. Tennessee will wrap up preseason play Saturday against the Bears.

Lock will start Sunday's preseason game against the Titans, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Sam Darnold won't play in Sunday's preseason game despite going through warmups in pads, paving the way for Lock to start for the second time in as many preseason games. Jalen Milroe is also expected to see action under center for the Seahawks on Sunday. Lock completed nine of 13 passes for 40 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener against the Cowboys.

Green is set to play in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Patriots, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The sixth-round rookie out of Arkansas has yet to see preseason action. It appears Dillon Gabriel will start Thursday's game, but Green will see the field later on. If the Browns plan to split the halves between the two quarterbacks, Thursday's game could be a battle for a roster spot. The team will be announcing Monday whether Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders will be starting the regular season, meaning that if it plans to keep three quarterbacks, then Gabriel or Green will not survive Aug. 30.

Gabriel will start at quarterback in Thursday's preseason finale against the Patriots, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Gabriel has seen limited action during the preseason, but with fellow signal-callers Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders set to sit out Thursday -- per the same source -- Gabriel will get an extended look. One of the other quarterbacks is expected to be announced as Cleveland's starter Monday, and Gabriel will presumably open the regular season behind both.

Sanders will learn Monday if he or Deshaun Watson will start at quarterback for the Browns, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

The two signal-callers have alternated starting reps so far this preseason, as Watson started the first half of Cleveland's preseason opener while Sanders started in Saturday's 31-7 preseason loss to Buffalo. The 24-year-old Sanders outplayed Watson during the second exhibition, going 9-for-11 passing for 74 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but neither quarterback has obviously pulled away in the competition this preseason. In any case, word on the team's Week 1 starter is on track to arrive Monday via coach Todd Monken, while both Sanders and Watson are not slated to play in Thursday's preseason finale. The Browns' regular-season opener will come versus the Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Watson will learn Monday if he or Shedeur Sanders will be named the starting quarterback for the Browns, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

The two quarterbacks have gone back and forth on reps during the preseason. Watson started the first half of Cleveland's preseason opener, but then he didn't play until after halftime when Sanders started in Saturday's 31-7 preseason loss to Buffalo. The 30-year-old has completed 16 of 27 passes for 162 yards and zero touchdowns to one interception through two exhibition game appearances. With neither quarterback obviously pulling away in the competition this preseason, it's possible that whoever is named the Week 1 starter could be on a short leash. Cleveland will open its 2026 campaign versus the Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Head coach Jeff Hafley said Sunday that he's "hopeful" that Ewers (groin) will return to practice this week, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Ewers sustained a groin injury during the Dolphins' preseason opener against the Commanders, and the injury prevented him from playing in Saturday's 26-3 loss to the Giants. A return to practice this week is crucial for the 2025 seventh-rounder, as it would put him on track to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Falcons. Ewers is currently leading the backup quarterback competition against Cam Miller and Mark Gronowski.