Competing with Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson started the Browns’ first preseason game on Saturday against the Bears and played the entire first half. The results were mediocre. Watson finished his two-quarter outing 11-of-15 passing for 126 yards. The Browns scored a field goal and a touchdown with him inside. But Watson wasn’t particularly impressive, at times looking uncomfortable in the pocket and throwing inaccurate passes. He was also sacked on fourth-and-2 from the Chicago 40 as the Browns attempted to extend a drive early in the second quarter. Most of Watson’s yards came on a 43-yard screen pass to Dylan Sampson late in the first quarter. He attempted only one pass more than 10 yards in the air. Head coach Todd Monken mentioned to reporters during the week that the Browns would do everything they could to run a two-minute drill, and they had that opportunity when rookie cornerback Michael Coats intercepted Tyson Bagent late in the second quarter. But Cleveland did nothing about it, as Watson threw a pair of incomplete passes on second and third downs on the next possession. Rookie first-round receiver KC Concepción showed explosiveness and versatility, returning a punt 28 yards, catching three passes for 27 yards and passing for a 14-yard touchdown. Fellow rookie Denzel Boston also moved the chains with a 15-yard reception on the left side. Sanders is set to play the third quarter for Cleveland. He is also set to start next week’s preseason contest against Buffalo.
