In competition with Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson started the first preseason game for the Browns on Saturday against the Bears and played the entire first half.
The results were middling.
Watson ended his two-quarter outing 11-of-15 passing for 126 yards. The Browns scored a field goal and a touchdown with him in. But Watson was not particularly impressive, at times looking uncomfortable in the pocket and firing inaccurate passes. He was also strip-sacked on a fourth-and-2 from the Chicago 40 as the Browns were trying to extend a drive early in the second quarter.
Most of Watson’s yardage came on a 43-yard screen pass to Dylan Sampson late in the first period. He attempted just one pass over 10 yards in the air.
Head coach Todd Monken mentioned to reporters during the week that the Browns would do everything they could to get a two-minute drill, and they had that opportunity when rookie corner Michael Coats picked off Tyson Bagent late in the second quarter. But Cleveland did nothing with it, as Watson threw a pair of incompletions on second and third down on the ensuing possession.
Rookie first-round receiver KC Concepcion showed explosiveness and versatility, returning a punt 28 yards, catching three passes for 27 yards, and taking in an end around for a 14-yard touchdown. Fellow rookie Denzel Boston also moved the chains with a 15-yard catch on the left side.
Sanders is set to play the third quarter for Cleveland. He’s also set to start next week’s preseason contest against Buffalo.
