Cleveland Browns Training Camp Recap: Day 18 – Watson’s first day as the starter

Day 18 of the Cleveland Browns' training camp took place on August 24, 2026. Deshaun Watson was officially named the starting quarterback for the regular season. After his first practice as the starter, Watson expressed his emotions over the fan booing incident, stating that his comments were not intended to target any fans. Despite some missed throws during practice, Watson demonstrated his skills as he continued to develop.

Returning defensive tackle Maliek Collins was activated from the injured list and was seen performing well in individual drills. LB Carson Schwesinger was present at practice, participating in individual work, which could be a sign of his potential return to the team. Cornerback Denzel Ward showcased his defensive abilities during practice, specifically working on ball denial after catches.

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders took over the second string offense, with Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green each slated to play a half in the final preseason game on Thursday.

The Cleveland Browns concluded their practice, with the team in shells. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders received the majority of the reps, while Deshaun Watson took the majority of the snaps in the No. 1 offense. The Browns had one more practice on Tuesday before their final preseason game on Thursday. Roster cuts were due a few days later, and the final report on the summer's training camp proceedings would follow.