After their 34-10 loss to the Bears in Week 1 of the preseason, the Browns had Sunday off before they get back to work for another competitive week. The Browns will host a joint practice with the Bills on Aug. 20 before facing Buffalo in their second preseason game on Aug. 22.
Head coach Todd Monken reiterated that the Browns' quarterback competition will continue into this week. QB Deshaun Watson started against the Bears and played the first half while QB Shedeur Sanders played in the third quarter and into the start of the fourth quarter.
Along with the providing a quarterback practice plan for this week, Monken talked about the revamped offensive line, competition for the third running back spot and gave injury updates.
Here are the main pieces of news and notes ahead of the Browns' joint practice and Week 2 preseason matchup with the Bills.
Quarterback rotation plan and updates
Both quarterbacks will continue to rotate with the first team as the competition progresses. Monken stated that Sanders will take first team reps on Monday and Wednesday while Watson will handle them on Tuesday. Sanders and Watson will split first team reps in the joint practice on Thursday, and Sanders will start the second preseason game against the Bills.
"Again, I did feel going into last game that it was relatively close in terms of both having an opportunity at the starting position, so it would be unfair to not go into the next game and give Shedeur that same opportunity," Monken said. "Albeit a different team, certainly at home. There's no guarantee the same players will be playing in this game, but it's the closest you have, and we owe it to both players who have handled it well and competed at a high level."
Monday's practice will be in shells while Wednesday's will be in shorts. Monken noted that Tuesday's practice will be longer and Wednesday's will focus on red zone work.
Monken also talked about where the Browns are with the operational aspect of the offense, which has been a big emphasis during training camp. Saturday's preseason game was the first time the Browns' offense operated in a real game.
"The next two weeks we'll be at home with a normal cadence, so we'll get to practice that with the Bills, but it's still a work in progress," Monken said. "That was probably the most frustrating thing. We spent so much time getting in and out of the huddle. Our subs were good, that part was good. Our communication from the sideline to the field, which I got frustrated with the other day, was good; for the most part we had 11 on the field when we broke the huddle. We just have to continue to work to not waste plays."
Revamped offensive line outlook
Cleveland showed off its new starting offensive line against the Bears, with T Tytus Howard at right tackle, G Teven Jenkins at right guard, C/G Elgton Jenkins at center, G Zion Johnson at guard and T Spencer Fano at left tackle. The plan was for that group to play the first drive against the Bears, Monken explained. But after the first possession was limited to three downs, Monken put the unit back in the game for the second drive, which ended in a 50-yard field goal by K Andre Szmyt.
"It ended up being about eight plays, maybe a little more, but I thought they played fine, and I expect us to take a big step forward," Monken said. "Obviously, having the practice Thursday against those guys and their ones, and they're going to have to because we didn't see all of the Bears' ones. So, we're going to have to be ready to go on Thursday."
Fano played the entire first half against the Bears on Saturday, which was planned prior to the game. Monken was pleased with the way that the rookie tackle looked in his first taste of NFL action.
"He's certainly plenty athletic enough and certainly plenty smart enough, and he's only going to continue to ascend when you're wired the right way, you've got competitive stamina, you're smart, you're athletic," Monken said about Fano. "I think he's definitely going to continue to ascend."
Competition for third running back spot
RB Quinshon Judkins and RB Dylan Sampson were the first two running backs used in the Browns' matchup against the Bears. However, there is still a competition for the third running back role.
Monken provided an update on RB Ahmani Marshall and RB Raheim Sanders and where the two players stand going into the second week of the preseason.
"I would see them as an 'or'," Monken said. "I expect (Raheim) going first as the third back this week. I think they're both competing for that third running back spot."
Marshall was the third running the Browns used against the Bears, getting carries in the first, second and third quarters. He finished the game with six attempts for four yards, adding three receptions for 19 yards in the passing game.
Raheim Sanders was the fourth running back on Saturday, taking snaps in the third and fourth quarter. He finished with two attempts for nine yards on the ground and two receptions for seven yards through the air.
Injury updates
Monken provided updates on several players who were injured in the first preseason game.
"(Michael) Coats (Jr.), I don't know exactly where he's at," Monken said. "(Nate) Evans, I think, is going to be fine. Coats, I think we'll hopefully have him back sometime this week. He felt okay this morning, and we'll know a little bit more this afternoon on Brendan Bates."
Coats recorded the Browns' lone turnover of the game, intercepting QB Tyson Bagent late in the second quarter. Evans recorded one tackle and one pass defensed.
Heading into this week, Monken also gave updates on injured players who did not play on Saturday and their statuses for practice.
"I'm expecting a number of guys back this week," Monken said. "I'm hopeful we'll get (Zak) Zinter back, Izavion (Miller) back tomorrow, and (Elijah) Chatman back tomorrow. I think we'll know a little later in the week with Mike Hall Jr. and a couple of guys. I think we're looking at having a number of guys back for the Patriots week."
