What we’re hearing and seeing at Browns training camp: Watson delivers a must-see throw in practice vs. Bills

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The 2026 NFL training camps have kicked off around the league, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.

What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Browns camp. The biggest question for Cleveland remains who will be the starting QB? Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?

Catch up on all the updates, including the Browns' top camp performer and biggest lingering question.

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Thursday, Aug. 20

After a spirited joint practice with the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, Browns coach Todd Monken said he doesn’t anticipate seeing the team’s older starters play in Saturday’s preseason game.

Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson split first-team reps in the practice. Watson delivered one of his best throws of camp early in practice, when he found rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion downfield in between a pair of Bills defenders. Watson, though, had a poor stretch in red zone drills, sailing a pass to a wide-open Harold Fannin Jr. and then throwing an interception to defensive back Jordan Hancock a couple of plays later.

One of Sanders' best moments came during a third-down session. On one play, Sanders used his cadence to draw the Bills defense offside and threw a downfield pass to wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who drew a defensive pass interference penalty. On the next play, Sanders found wideout Malachi Corley downfield for a big gain in the middle of the field.

Sanders led Cleveland's only two-minute drill in practice and drove the offense the length of the field, but he was "sacked" on the penultimate play, and then his last-second pass to rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston in the end zone was broken up by corner Maxwell Hairston.

"It didn't look like we were out of place. It looked like we belonged," Monken said after the practice.

More observations:

• On the second play of a two-minute drill, the Browns defense allowed a 50-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Dalton Kincaid on an apparent coverage bust.

• Running back Quinshon Judkins missed his second day of practice with what Monken called a “nagging” injury.

• Defensive end Alex Wright left practice on a cart after sustaining an apparent injury in defensive line-offensive line 1-on-1s.

• Defensive tackle Travis Bell left practice early with a member of the medical staff.

Monday, Aug. 17

Shedeur Sanders is slated to start at quarterback in the Browns’ second preseason game against the Bills on Saturday, but he could be playing without Cleveland’s starting offense.

Coach Todd Monken said he and Bills coach Joe Brady agreed to hold out starters if their No. 1 units get enough work in during joint practices on Thursday.

"Would I like to have a decision today? Of course," Monken said. "Would I like a decision by next Monday? Of course. I'd love to have that decision. And we'll see. We've got a lot of football this week. We've already had a lot of football. We've got four days of practice and a game. That all adds into any decision with the roster and who the starters are.

"Some are further along than others, right? We already know. That's part of it. And I'm OK. By the time we get to next week, that'd be great. We can start planning that way, have some practices, and here we go."

More observations:

• Michael Coats Jr. and Nate Evans practiced after leaving the preseason opener with injuries.

• Zak Zinter, Myles Bryant, and Elijah Chatman returned to practice after missing multiple sessions, as well as the preseason opener.

• Thirteen players did not practice: Joe Royer, Cedric Tillman, D’Angelo Ross, Michael Burton, Carson Schwesinger, Mike Hall Jr., Parker Brailsford, Jack Conley, Jack Stoll, Alex Wright (new), Sam Kamara, Kalia Davis, Maliek Collins.

• Monken said the Browns are being "overly cautious" with Schwesinger, who hasn't practiced since July 31. The team is hopeful he will return to practice next week.

• The Browns signed tight end Jermaine Terry II and waived tight end Brenden Bates with an injury designation.

Who has been the Browns' top performer so far at camp?

WR Denzel Boston. The No. 39 overall pick is trending to be Cleveland’s No. 1 receiver sooner rather than later. Boston has dazzled with plenty of highlights, using his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame to make contested catches almost daily. He’s also made himself a friendly target for quarterbacks as a smooth route runner. Boston recently got promoted to the No. 1 offense as Cleveland’s boundary receiver.

What still needs to be answered over the course of preseason games?

Who will be the Browns' starting quarterback? Deshaun Watson will start the preseason opener; Shedeur Sanders will start the second preseason game. The exhibition matches will allow Todd Monken to evaluate the quarterbacks in a bevy of game-like situations. The first-year head coach is placing an importance on pre-snap operation and playmaking ability.

Wednesday, Aug. 12

The Browns are hoping quarterback Deshaun Watson’s return to health will mean a return to the Pro Bowl form he displayed with the Texans, but Watson said Wednesday that “my game has definitely changed.”

"I'm different, man," Watson said before practice. "I think ever since I've been here early on, bringing up Houston was cool, but I'm 30 now. I had some injuries and things like that. So, my game has definitely changed. But the mentality in how I play and how I approach it doesn't."

Watson was one of the NFL's top dual-threat passers in Houston, but suspension and injuries have limited him to just 19 games since Cleveland traded for him in March 2022.

"I think you have to be who you are because if you try to be something you're not, you're not going to play at the highest level of your skill set," coach Todd Monken said. "So it's just the way it is with him; he's going to have to play or utilize his athleticism in order to play at the top of his skill set. … But one of the superpowers is his athleticism. I mean, that always has been. So you can't take that away or you've basically taken away a part of what made him special."

More observations:

• In a lighter practice ahead of the team's preseason opener against the Bears, Watson and Shedeur Sanders led successful two-minute drills to cap the session. Both quarterbacks connected on deep passes during their possession. Sanders had a deep completion to wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who made a diving catch. Watson lofted a pass to receiver Luke Floriea along the offense’s sideline.

• Teven Jenkins and Tyre Phillips split snaps at right guard with the No. 1 offense.

• Cornerback Denzel Ward and offensive tackle Izavion Miller returned to practice. Cornerback Tyron Herring left practice with a member of the team’s medical staff during individual drills.

• Fifteen players did not practice: Joe Royer, Cedric Tillman (new absence), D’Angelo Ross, Myles Bryant, Michael Burton, Carson Schwesinger, Mike Hall, Parker Brailsford, Elijah Chatman, Zak Zinter, Elgton Jenkins, Dae’Quan Wright, Jack Stoll, Sam Kamara, Kalia Davis. Veteran edge rusher Tyus Bowser had a tryout with the Browns on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Tuesday, Aug. 11

Four days before their preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, the Browns listed "Deshaun Watson OR Shedeur Sanders” at starting quarterback in their first unofficial depth chart.

Coach Todd Monken has yet to announce which quarterback will start in Chicago, but spoke about the value the preseason adds for evaluating the two passers.

"It does, in terms of getting the ball out, got to learn to get the ball out. Got to learn how to slide," Monken said. "You're not going to be able to just run around. I do want playmaking ability, so there is a balance there between playmaking ability and taking some sacks. You're going to have to live with that to an extent.

"The other part is stacking plays, where it matters, because they got the scoreboard on in terms of points you put on the board. In terms of the flow of the game, that's a big part of it. We're going to be on the road. The ebbs and flows of positive plays and negative plays, overcoming that. I think there's a part of the quarterback's body language, how they are around the team. Do I sense, 'Hey, that's over. I've moved on to the next play.' So there's a number of things you get to evaluate once you get to the closest we have in terms of games, which is preseason."

With rookie Spencer Fano securing a starting role at left tackle, Monken said the only starting position on the offensive line up in the air is right guard. Teven Jenkins and KT Leveston have been rotating at the spot.

"I think Teven has the advantage there from experience," Monken said.

More observations:

• Special teams coordinator Byron Storer said the team is "definitely taking a hard look at" punters Wes Pahl and Nik Constantinou, but “It’s Corey [Bojorquez]’s job to lose.”

• Monken said he is "hopeful" that defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. will return to practice “soon.” Hall hasn’t practiced since Aug. 3.

• On the second-team offensive line, the Browns moved Dawand Jones from left tackle to right tackle and rookie Austin Barber from right tackle to left tackle.

• Cornerback Damarri Mathis left practice on the back of a cart after he sustained an injury in coverage during a 1-on-1 drill. The team later placed Mathis on injured reserve.

• Defensive tackle Travis Bell left practice early with a member of the team’s medical staff.

• Fifteen players did not practice Tuesday: Joe Royer, D’Angelo Ross, Denzel Ward (new absence), Myles Bryant, Michael Burton, Carson Schwesinger, Mike Hall Jr., Parker Brailsford, Izavion Miller, Elijah Chatman, Zak Zinter, Jack Stoll, Sam Kamara, Kalia Davis, Maliek Collins.

• The Browns claimed tight end Dae’Quan Wright off waivers from the Eagles, per the NFL transaction wire.

• The Browns had three tight ends in for a tryout today, per the NFL transaction wire: Sal Cannella, Matt Lauter and Jermaine Terry II.

Monday, Aug. 10

Coach Todd Monken explained the change in the quarterback rotation last Saturday.

Though Monken said before the practice that Shedeur Sanders would get a “majority” of first-team reps, he said he was later informed that Sanders had received more padded practices with the starters than Watson in the week. So Monken changed the order of reps.

Sanders practiced with the starting offense Monday, while Watson led the No. 2 offense.

"As long as we're still sharing reps, it's a competition," Monken said.

Monken also said he has not decided which quarterback will start the preseason opener in Chicago on Saturday, but he intends to start Watson in one of the first two preseason games and Sanders in the other.

"I'd like to get our starters out there for the first series together [in the preseason opener]," Monken said.

More observations:

• Both Watson and Sanders threw short touchdowns during red zone 11-on-11 team drills, but it was overall a mistake-filled practice for the offense. Monken ended a two-minute drill for the No. 1 offense after three consecutive pre-snap penalties. The head coach then called it a day after back-to-back pre-snap infractions for the No. 2 offense.

• Monken made two notable non-quarterback personnel changes, as rookie left tackle Spencer Fano and rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston practiced with the first-team offense. Fano had been alternating days at starting left tackle with Dawand Jones. Monken said Fano’s performance Saturday, in which he went head-to-head with defensive end Jared Verse and even engaged in a post-play scuffle, “solidified” the decision to give the first-round pick more first-team reps.

• Right tackle Tytus Howard, rookie linebacker Justin Jefferson and cornerback Damarri Mathis returned to practice.

• Fourteen players did not practice: tight ends Joe Royer (personal) and Jack Stoll; cornerbacks Myles Bryant and D’Angelo Ross; fullback Michael Burton; linebacker Carson Schwesinger; defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., Elijah Chatman, Sam Kamara, Kalia Davis and Maliek Collins; and offensive linemen Parker Brailsford, Izavion Miller and Zak Zinter.

Saturday, Aug. 8

The Browns made a major change to the quarterback rotation in their 10th practice.

Despite Shedeur Sanders being scheduled to lead the No. 1 offense in his alternating reps with Watson, it was Watson who took every starting rep in team drills. Sanders split the remaining reps with Dillon Gabriel.

Before practice, coach Todd Monken indicated that there might be a 7-on-7 session in which Watson threw to the team's top pass-catchers but added that "Shedeur will take the majority of the 1 reps today."

The Browns are off Sunday, and Monken said the coaching staff would use that time to discuss which quarterback will start the preseason opener against the Bears next Saturday in Chicago.

More observations:

• Watson had another productive practice to cap a bounce-back week for him. His highlight throws included a deep completion to wide receiver Isaiah Bond in 7-on-7 after he got a step ahead of cornerback Tre Avery, then a short touchdown pass to rookie wideout Denzel Boston on a back-shoulder fade in 11-on-11, beating corner Tyron Herring.

• Right tackle Tytus Howard left practice early with a member of the team’s medical staff. Rookie Austin Barber took Howard’s spot with the starting offense in team drills.

• Elgton Jenkins and Teven Jenkins returned to team drills after being limited to individual drills Friday.

• Fifteen players did not practice: Justin Jefferson (new absence), Joe Royer, Myles Bryant, Michael Burton, Damarri Mathis, Carson Schwesinger, Mike Hall Jr., Parker Brailsford, Izavion Miller, Elijah Chatman, Zak Zinter, Sam Kamara, Kalia Davis, Maliek Collins and Kendrick Green.

Friday, Aug. 7

The Browns had a lighter practice indoors and in helmets on Friday, as they are set to practice in pads for more than two hours on Saturday. It was still an eventful session, with all the quarterbacks pushing the ball downfield in team drills.

Deshaun Watson looked his most comfortable attempting deep passes in camp so far. He connected with wide receiver Isaiah Bond for a long gain in 11-on-11s and also found wideout Jerry Jeudy for a 40-yard touchdown in 7-on-7s. Toward the end of practice during a two-minute drill, Watson evaded the pass rush and rolled out to his left before throwing a pass into the end zone that Bond leapt up and caught.

More observations:

• While Watson had some accurate downfield passes, he was also intercepted by cornerback Denzel Ward on an errant pass that went over the head of Bond; it’s Watson’s eighth interception in nine practices.

• The Browns signed offensive lineman Jack Conley and cornerback Jeadyn Lukus, claimed defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins, waived wide receiver Jamari Thrash (injury designation) and linebacker, and placed guard Kendrick Green on injured reserve.

• Rookie safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren recorded his first interception of camp, picking off Shedeur Sanders after he overthrew tight end Jack Stoll in 11-on-11s.

• Safety Donovan McMillon intercepted Dillon Gabriel in 11-on-11s on an underthrown deep ball to rookie wide receiver Kole Wilson.

• Linebacker Winston Reid forced a fumble on running back Raheim Sanders and recovered the ball to end the two-minute drill led by Sanders.

• Elgton Jenkins, Mason Graham and Teven Jenkins returned to practice, but both Jenkinses were limited to individual drills.

• Thirteen players did not practice: Joe Royer, Myles Bryant, Michael Burton, Damarri Mathis, Carson Schwesinger, Mike Hall Jr., Parker Brailsford, Izavion Miller, Elijah Chatman, Zak Zinter, Sam Kamara, Kalia Davis, Maliek Collins.

Thursday, Aug. 6

The Browns' eighth day of practice concluded the installation of coach Todd Monken's offense. Going forward, Monken said practices would focus more on situational football, "premier plays," and work against defensive looks that Cleveland will see from opponents this season.

"What we're trying to do is stack as many good plays as we can within what we're asking them to do on a given day," Monken said. "I'd much prefer stacking really good days, but as the head coach, if the offense is stacking really good days, it probably means the defense wasn't stacking a very good day. So, within every practice there's usually give and take, some ebb and flow of practice — some things you all don't see, and some things that at the moment we don't see until we see it on tape. So it's really about how many plays in a row can we stack?"

More observations:

• Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders both threw an interception in team drills. Cornerback Tyson Campbell intercepted Watson in 7-on-7 drills, while cornerback Myles Harden intercepted Sanders in red zone 11-on-11 drills. Safety Grant Delpit broke up a pass intended for rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston, which led to the pick.

• Two plays after his interception, Sanders threw the lone touchdown in team drills when he found rookie receiver KC Concepcion in the end zone after he located an opening in Cleveland’s zone defense.

• Guard Zak Zinter left practice on a cart.

• Sixteen players did not practice Thursday: Joe Royer, Myles Bryant, Michael Burton, Damarri Mathis, Carson Schwesinger, Mike Hall Jr., Parker Brailsford, Kendrick Green, Izavion Miller, Elijah Chatman, Elgton Jenkins, Teven Jenkins, Sam Kamara, Kalia Davis, Mason Graham, Maliek Collins.

Wednesday, Aug. 5

Quarterback Deshaun Watson had a slow start to training camp but had his best day to date on Wednesday. After two consecutive practices in pads, the Browns practiced in shoulder pads and helmets and ran extensive red zone and goal line 7-on-7 drills. Watson excelled, throwing multiple touchdowns, but he also looked more in sync and confident pushing the ball downfield in other team drills.

"I think to say who's ahead is a little extreme," Browns coach Todd Monken said before practice. "But we evaluate every day where our roster is, who's where. We try not to knee-jerk react on the one day; that's hard to do. We want every day to go as smooth as it can, and it doesn't, so you have to fight that part of it. We also have to fight; we're in install. We see what you see, and we see a little more in-depth because of the film. But the reality is we're always talking about personnel and the roster; the quarterbacks just happen to be part of that."

More observations:

• Sixteen players did not practice Wednesday: tight end Joe Royer (personal), cornerback Myles Bryant and Damarri Mathis, fullback Michael Burton, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, defensive tackles Mike Hall Jr., Kalia Davis, Mason Graham, Maliek Collins (PUP), Sam Kamara and Elijah Chatman; centers Parker Brailsford and Elgton Jenkins; offensive tackle Izavion Miller, guard Teven Jenkins and wide receiver Jamari Thrash.

Tuesday, Aug. 4

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, leading the No. 1 offense in Cleveland’s quarterback competition today, led a two-minute drill that ended in a field goal.

It marked the second straight day Sanders led a successful two-minute drill to end practice.

"I've been highly impressed over the last four months that I've been around him with how far he's come as a player, and he's only going to continue to get better," Browns coach Todd Monken said. "There's a lot to take in when you're installing. We got through the spring, then we were gone for six weeks, and then you start back up again in a new system. I think you'll continue to see his operation and mechanics improve, and I think that's the biggest part right now is in and out of the huddle, getting to the line of scrimmage, eliminating that anxiety, his anxiety and my anxiety."

More observations from the day:

• Wide receiver KC Concepcion was at practice after avoiding a serious shoulder injury on Monday but was limited to individual drills.

• Eleven players did not practice: tight end Joe Royer (personal), cornerbacks Myles Bryant and Damarri Mathis, fullback Michael Burton, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, defensive tackles Mike Hall Jr., Kalia Davis, Mason Graham and Maliek Collins (PUP); and offensive linemen Kendrick Green and Teven Jenkins.

• Safety Christopher Edmonds intercepted quarterback Dillon Gabriel in 7-on-7s; it was Edmonds’ third pick in training camp, the most of any defender.

• Browns offensive tackle Izavion Miller left practice with a member of the team’s medical staff. Defensive tackle Sam Kamara also left practice on a cart.

• The Browns claimed defensive tackle Coziah Izzard via waivers from Arizona and waived wide receiver Aaron Anderson, who left practice early with a member of the medical staff, with an injury designation.

• Before practice, Cleveland signed cornerback Tyler Hall and waived offensive tackle Jack Conley.

Monday, Aug. 3

On the first practice with pads for the Browns, quarterback Shedeur Sanders ended the day on a high note for Cleveland’s offense. Running the No. 2 offense in the ongoing quarterback competition with Deshaun Watson, Sanders connected with wide receiver Gage Larvadain for a deep touchdown on a slot fade to end a two-minute drill in the end zone.

One play before the touchdown, Sanders found wideout Tylan Wallace on a back-shoulder fade to put the offense in scoring position. Sanders also threw an earlier touchdown in team drills after rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion got behind the secondary for a deep score.

More observations:

• Concepcion had an injury scare in a previous two-minute drill for the No. 1 offense when he had a hard fall while trying to make a catch and grabbed his right shoulder. Concepcion walked off the field under his own power and remained on the sideline as practice ended shortly thereafter. He is believed to have avoided a serious injury.

• Linebacker Carson Schwesinger did not participate in practice for a second consecutive day because of what coach Todd Monken called a “minor injury.”

• In addition to Schwesinger, tight end Joe Royer (personal), defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., offensive linemen Kendrick Green and Teven Jenkins, wide receiver Jamari Thrash and defensive tackles Kalia Davis and Maliek Collins (PUP) did not practice.

• Thrash, who also did not practice Saturday, was on the field before practice catching passes from a Jugs machine with a brace around his left leg.

• Cornerback Myles Bryant left practice early with a member of the team’s medical staff.

• The Browns signed defensive tackle Travis Bell, who most recently played in the UFL, and waived running back T.J. Harden.

Saturday, Aug. 1

It was an opportunistic afternoon for the Browns' defense, which intercepted five passes on the fourth day of practice.

Three of those picks were thrown by Deshaun Watson, who now has six interceptions in four practices, with Christopher Edmonds getting two and safety Donovan McMillon getting another. Rookie safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren made a strong play on the first interception, dislodging a ball from tight end Jack Stoll that Edmonds caught off the ricochet.

Shedeur Sanders was also intercepted for the first time in training camp, as he underthrew a deep pass to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and was picked off by cornerback D’Angelo Ross.

Dillon Gabriel was also intercepted by linebacker Reid Carrico in a red zone drill.

The three quarterbacks, though, had success in the red zone drills, with each throwing multiple short touchdown passes.

"It's multiple — they're doing all types of different stuff, showing us different things," Watson said of Cleveland's defense before practice. "It's really good, especially for the quarterbacks, running backs and O-line, just protectionwise. They're showing us different things every time, and each group is getting different looks."

More observations from the day:

• Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. returned to practice Saturday after missing Friday’s sessions for personal reasons.

• Cornerback Myles Harden returned to practice after leaving Friday’s session early.

• Linebacker Carson Schwesinger was present but not practicing Saturday. Offensive lineman Teven Jenkins (undisclosed), tight end Joe Royer (personal), defensive tackle Kalia Davis (undisclosed) and wide receiver Jamari Thrash (undisclosed) also did not practice.

Friday, July 31

Browns rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston was one of the standouts from the spring offseason workout program and has continued stacking strong performances in training camp. He had one of the catches of camp, leaping over a defensive back along the sideline to bring in a pass from quarterback Shedeur Sanders in 7-on-7s.

The No. 39 pick out of Washington in the 2026 draft, Boston gives Cleveland a size dimension at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds that the offense lacked in the 2025 season. He has been working with the second-team offense when the Browns break into two fields to maximize reps but is expected to have a big role as a rookie.

More observations from the day:

• Quarterback Deshaun Watson took first-team reps Friday and threw his third interception in as many practices when he was picked off by linebacker Quincy Williams over the middle of the field.

• Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said that despite Cleveland's projected 5.5-win total, he expects the team to improve from its 5-12 season in 2025. "I'll take the over," Haslam said.

• Running backs coach Duce Staley said running back Quinshon Judkins “worked his ass off” to return from a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula that ended his season in Week 16. “The sky is the limit … I think that Q can play all three downs,” Staley said.

• Linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2025, said new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg connected him with Pro Football Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly, whom Schwesinger grew up idolizing. “He was great, said whatever I needed, any questions … it’s great to have that resource,” Schwesinger said.

• Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. missed practice because of personal reasons. Offensive lineman Teven Jenkins also missed practice, while defensive tackle Kalia Davis was sidelined for a second consecutive day. Rookie tight end Joe Royer (personal) remained out.

• Nickel corner Myles Harden left practice early with a trainer.

Thursday, July 30

Shedeur Sanders took the first-team reps on the second day of training camp, alternating with Deshaun Watson in Cleveland’s quarterback competition. Sanders had a notable guest in attendance, as his father (and coach at Colorado and formerly Jackson State), Deion, was at practice. Deion met with coach Todd Monken and general manager Andrew Berry before practice, and Monken characterized the meeting as “awesome.”

The Browns' offense got off to a slow start, with a disjointed passing game and procedural issues, but Sanders found a rhythm late in practice. After the session, Shedeur and Deion stayed on the practice field and spoke for several minutes.

General manager Andrew Berry said he is taking a similar approach as last year with a crowded QB room — open to keeping all four passers on the active roster but willing to strike a deal if one arises: "I don't think that you can necessarily be prescriptive at the beginning of camp because things are going to surprise you in both directions … we try and maintain as much flexibility as possible."

More observations from the day:

• Spencer Fano alternated with Dawand Jones on Thursday and took first-team reps at left tackle. Monken has said he views Fano, the No. 9 pick in the 2026 draft, as a starter but wants him to earn the role in practice.

• KT Leveston took first-team reps at right guard, one day after Teven Jenkins lined up at the position with the starting unit. The two are competing for a potential starting position.

• Safety Grant Delpit called new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg’s scheme “exotic” and said there is a lot of disguise and communication. Cleveland is keeping the foundation of ex-DC Jim Schwartz’s attacking scheme intact, but the disguised looks could be a big differentiator in 2026.

• Berry does not have a timeline for when rookie tight end Joe Royer (out for personal reasons) will return to practice: “When he does return, which will hopefully be sooner rather than later, we’ll get him ramped up quickly and reintegrated in everything.”

• Cornerback Damarri Mathis returned to practice after leaving Wednesday’s session early but did not participate in team drills. Defensive tackle Kalia Davis was absent Thursday after leaving Wednesday’s practice early.

Wednesday, July 29

The Browns opened training camp Wednesday with the continuation of their quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders, who coach Todd Monken said will continue to split first-team reps in practice.

On Day 1, it was Watson who took all the first-team reps, but the veteran passer struggled. On back-to-back throws in 11-on-11 drills, Watson threw passes that were intercepted by cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Damarri Mathis.

Before practice, Monken did not disclose a timeline for naming a starting quarterback but indicated he plans to play his starters in the preseason, which would make for pivotal evaluation periods in the competition.

More observations from the day:

• Veteran defensive end Jadeveon Clowney visited the Browns on Wednesday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported. Clowney, 33, had a two-year stint in Cleveland from 2021 to 2022 and recorded 11 sacks.

• Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. said he missed the offseason workout program because of surgery to address a late-season groin injury but was cleared to play two weeks ago.

• Fourth-year offensive lineman Dawand Jones lined up at left tackle with the starting unit, while 2026 first-round pick Spencer Fano practiced with the second unit.

• Mathis and defensive tackle Kalia Davis left practice early with apparent injuries and did not return.

• Rookie tight end Joe Royer was not at practice because of personal reasons.

• Ward on his record-breaking extension: "I'm a Cleveland kid through and through and this is where I'm at, and this is where I want to be."

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