Sanders getting shot to impress Browns coaches
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CLEVELAND -- Deshaun Watson made the most of his opportunity this past week to show he should be the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback when the season opens on Sept. 13 in Jacksonville.
The upcoming week will be Shedeur Sanders' turn.
"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," coach Todd Monken said Sunday.
Sanders will start and play the first half of Saturday's game against Buffalo, as well as take snaps with the first team twice this week in practice. Watson will be with the first unit on today and play the third quarter.
Both quarterbacks will take snaps with the starters during Thursday's joint workout with the Bills. Monken said the snaps that both players are getting are "pretty balanced at this point, within reason."
Watson played six series in a 34-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. He led the Browns to a field goal and touchdown on the second and third drives, completing 8 of 9 passes for 102 yards.
The 10-year veteran was 3 of 6 for 24 yards on his last three series, including 0 for 2 during a two-minute drill late in the first half.
Watson also had more consistent pressure in the pocket with the Browns taking out their starting offensive line after two series.
However, for his first playing time in 22 months, Watson had a solid 98.2 passer rating while going 11 of 15 for 126 yards.
Harris works out
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Najee Harris worked out for the New York Giants on Monday as the team weighs whether to sign the veteran running back who is nearly a year removed from tearing his left Achilles tendon.
Harris played for coach John Harbaugh's brother, Jim, with the Los Angeles Chargers last season before getting injured on a noncontact play on Sept. 21. Harris eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in each of his four years as Pittsburgh's No. 1 back from 2021-24. That included 139 carries for 514 yards and two touchdowns in nine regular-season and playoff games with the Steelers against John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens.
Brigance dies at 56
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- O.J. Brigance, who won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens before waging an unyielding battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, has died. He was 56.
Brigance was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2007. Not long after that, he and his wife, Chanda, formed the Brigance Brigade Foundation, an organization whose mission is to "equip, encourage and empower" those afflicted with ALS.
Despite using a wheelchair and a communication device that translated his messages, Brigance served as senior adviser for player engagement with the Ravens, a job he started in 2004.
Trubisky hurt?
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans quarterback Mitchell Trubisky left Monday's practice with a trainer to get the biceps on his right arm checked.
The veteran had just had a deep pass sail on him as he held his throwing arm near his shoulder. He was 2 of 3 for 23 yards in Tennessee's preseason opening win at San Francisco last week. Trubisky is going into his 10th season in the NFL.
He was signed this offseason to back up Cam Ward.
Kicker cut
The Washington Commanders released kicker Jake Moody on Monday.
Cutting Moody ends the team's training camp kicking competition, with the job for now going to undrafted rookie Drew Stevens. Moody made his only field goal attempt in Washington's preseason opener Friday night but had been less consistent than Stevens in camp practices.
Waller signed
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- When the Carolina Panthers reached out to Darren Waller to see if he would be interested in returning to the NFL he jumped at the opportunity.
Waller, a 33-year-old tight end, didn't hesitate to accept their contract offer. He retired after the 2024 season but returned last year to play nine games for the Miami Dolphins.
The Panthers need a pass-catching tight end, a role they haven't truly filled since Greg Olsen retired in 2021. Waller had 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns last season for Miami.
Help on the way
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have signed veteran defensive end Marcus Davenport and defensive back Deantre Prince.
Davenport played the last two seasons with Detroit, but was limited to 10 combined games due to chest and triceps injuries.
The 29-year-old played the 2023 after starting his career in New Orleans. Davenport had a combined 10.5 sacks his first two seasons with the Saints and in 2022 played under Dennis Allen, Chicago's defensive coordinator.
Davenport has 25 sacks in 77 career games.
Rams in recovery
LOS ANGELES -- All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua and All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett are likely to sit out the next week of practice with the Los Angeles Rams to rest minor injuries.
Nacua developed soreness in his psoas muscle during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys last week. Garrett has been dealing with intermittent knee swelling during his first year with the Rams. Sean McVay says the team might wait until next week to work both veterans back into the practice groups.
The Rams' second preseason game is against New Orleans on Saturday.
Leaving early
HENDERSON, Nev. -- Las Vegas Raiders right guard Jackson Powers-Johnson left practice early Monday and was escorted by a trainer into the team facility.
The club provided no update on his status. Powers-Johnson has been in a competition at right guard with Caleb Rogers.
The players have rotated some on the first team. But Powers-Johnson started in Thursday night's 27-14 preseason loss to Arizona and received the vast majority of first-string repetitions in practice Sunday.
When asked if Powers-Johnson was solidifying the position, coach Klint Kubiak simply said, "No."
Adams out
EAGAN, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings safety/linebacker Jamal Adams was placed on injured reserve two days after leaving a preseason game on a cart with a right knee injury.
Adams is expected to have season-ending surgery. The 30-year-old Adams was injured in his first game with Minnesota after signing on the eve of the start of training camp.
The Vikings signed cornerback Bryce Phillips to fill Adams' spot on the roster. Adams was a first-round draft pick of the New York Jets back in 2017.