New

Browns Vs. Bills Live Updates: Weather Delay Halts Shedeur Sanders Start

Shedeur Sanders backed up Deshaun Watson in the Cleveland Browns' first game of the 2026 NFL preseason. Now, the second-year quarterback will get a chance to stake his claim to the starting job.

Sanders will take the field first for the Browns as they host the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Stadium in Cleveland. He is expected to play the entire first half before making way for Watson at the start of the third quarter.

Browns coach Todd Monken has been adamant he has not yet decided who will start for the Browns in Week 1, but Saturday's contest will nonetheless be crucial for Sanders. Watson outplayed him in Cleveland's first preseason game, a contested during which Sanders was responsible for an ugly interception.

Any similar turnover issues could help clear the path for Watson to take on the starting job.

While Cleveland figures to give its starters more extensive run because of the quarterback competition, Buffalo may not have Josh Allen and its top players on the field. Allen and the Bills starters played in the team's first preseason game, which marked the opening of the new Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, but are expected to be rested in preseason Week 2.

Such a decision could give the Browns the upper hand in their second exhibition contest.

USA TODAY Sports is tracking all of the action from the Browns vs. Bills game. Follow along for the latest highlights, score updates and information about how Sanders and Watson are performing.

Browns vs. Bills live updates

Cleveland forecast for Browns vs. Bills game

01:39 PM ET, August 22 2026, Jacob Camenker

Thunderstorms are going to be a threat throughout the day in Cleveland on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). A "Severe Thunderstorm Watch" will remain in effect until 9 p.m. ET with "rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch" being listed as possible.

Below is a full look at the NWS' forecast for Cleveland on Saturday.

High temperature: 80 degrees
Low temperature: 60 degrees
Chance of precipitation: 80%
Wind: 10 mph

There is also a "Flood Watch" in effect until 10 p.m. ET.

Browns vs. Bills weather update: Game delayed by lightning

01:13 PM ET, August 22 2026, Jacob Camenker

Those waiting to see Shedeur Sanders' debut will have to wait. The Browns vs. Bills game has been delayed by lightning just a couple of minutes into Saturday's action.

Is Kyle Allen related to Josh Allen?

01:08 PM ET, August 22 2026, Jacob Camenker

While each of the Buffalo Bills' top quarterbacks share the same last name, they are not related.

Is Shedeur Sanders starting for Browns?

01:01 PM ET, August 22 2026, Jacob Camenker

Yes, Sanders is getting the start in the Browns' second preseason game. Deshaun Watson got to start the first exhibition contest, but Cleveland's coach Todd Monken made it clear each member of the quarterback competition would get a chance to start.

Sanders is expected to play the entire first half against the Bills before making way for Watson.

Who is the Buffalo Bills backup quarterback?

12:54 PM ET, August 22 2026, Jacob Camenker

Kyle Allen is the Bills' backup quarterback. The 30-year-old is a nine-year NFL veteran who originally signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

Allen has played for six different teams during his NFL career, posting a 7-12 record across 19 career starts and completing 62.5% of his career passes for 4,753 yards, 26 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. He last started a game in 2022 and is entering his second season with the Bills, with his first coming during the 2023 campaign.

Cleveland Browns QB depth chart

12:45 PM ET, August 22 2026, Jacob Camenker

The Browns currently have four quarterbacks on their roster. Below is a look at the pecking order within the unit, according to the team's unofficial depth chart:

Deshaun Watson OR Shedeur Sanders
Dillon Gabriel
Taylen Green

The loser of the Watson vs. Sanders battle will lost in as the team's backup running back, which means Gabriel is currently the team's third-stringer and Green the fourth-string quarterback.

Josh Allen, most Bills starters to sit vs. Browns

12:34 PM ET, August 22 2026, Jacob Camenker

Allen and the Bills starters played in preseason Week 1 as Buffalo broke in its new stadium. However, Allen isn't expected to play in preseason Week 2, as NFL Media's Cameron Wolfe reports "most Bills starters will sit" against the Browns.

Josh Allen's backup, Kyle Allen, will get an opportunity to start as a result. The two quarterbacks are not related.