Overview
- The teams agreed to run extensive first‑team work in a controlled joint practice on Thursday to simulate game reps and let coaches evaluate starters directly.
- Monken plans to split quarterback reps this week with Shedeur Sanders starting the first half of Saturday’s preseason game and Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel taking later quarters.
- Monken has not named a Week 1 starting quarterback and said he wants to make that decision soon after assessing this week’s practice and preseason work.
- Practice activity this week included a shorts session that ended early after overly physical contact on plays involving Sanders, and the Browns have processed roster moves with tight end Brenden Bates waived injured and Jermaine Terry signed.
- Coaches are using the joint practice and limited preseason snaps to lower injury risk and refine evaluations, a choice that will shape playing time and has broader roster and financial implications given Watson’s veteran contract and Sanders’ rookie deal.