Browns give Deshaun Watson first preseason start against Bears

Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken will see quarterback Deshaun Watson take the first half of the team's preseason debut against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Saturday, Aug. 15. Shedeur Sanders is scheduled to replace Watson in the third quarter, and the roles will reverse in the following week's game against the Buffalo Bills. Monken said the plan is to give both quarterbacks comparable playing time and aim for a two-minute drive in each appearance. Practice reports indicate both signal-callers have improved their deep-ball accuracy, with receivers KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston and Isaiah Bond performing well. The rest of the first-unit players are expected to see roughly one series each, according to Monken, minimizing concerns about chemistry and rhythm. Local coverage will be provided by WEWS channel 5.1 with Chris Rose, Joe Thomas and sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala, and radio broadcasts on ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan and 98.5 FM WNCX.