NFL preseason Week 3: Five key storylines to watch

Quarterback decisions dominate the agenda, although injury returns, a late trade and an increasingly crowded kicking competition also deserve attention.

Here are five of the biggest storylines ahead of preseason Week 3.

Deshaun Watson wins Cleveland’s quarterback battle

The Cleveland Browns have named Deshaun Watson as their Week 1 starter, ending his summer-long competition with Shedeur Sanders.

Head coach Todd Monken said Watson’s full body of work convinced him that the veteran offered Cleveland the best chance to move the ball and score points.

Watson has started only 19 games since joining the Browns, recording a 9-10 record with 19 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.

The veteran sounds fired up, telling reporters he's eager to show he's "capable of being a starter."

His appointment is not a week-to-week arrangement, according to Monken, although Watson will know patience could be limited if the offense struggles.

Cleveland complete their preseason against the New England Patriots on Thursday before visiting Jacksonville in Week 1.

Texans add receiver help with Kayshon Boutte trade

The Houston Texans have strengthened their receiving corps by acquiring Kayshon Boutte from New England in exchange for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round draft pick.

The move follows the season-ending ACL injury suffered by Jayden Higgins during a joint practice.

Boutte caught 33 passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns last season but became expendable after the Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs.

He now joins Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Jaylin Noel and Xavier Hutchinson in Houston, and has a real chance to earn playing time.

The Texans face the Carolina Panthers in Friday’s preseason finale.

Malik Nabers takes another step towards Week 1

Cooper Neill

Malik Nabers has discarded the red non-contact jersey and returned to limited 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work with the New York Giants.

Nabers is recovering from the ACL and meniscus injuries suffered against the Los Angeles Chargers last September. He made 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns across four appearances before his season ended.

Head coach John Harbaugh stopped short of guaranteeing his availability for the September 13 opener against Dallas, but said it was “reasonable to assume” Nabers would be ready.

The Giants conclude their preseason against the Jets on Friday.

Daniel Carlson joins Saints kicking competition

New Orleans have added Daniel Carlson to a competition that had previously featured Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown.

Carlson brings considerable experience, having converted 225 of his 259 career field-goal attempts.

Neither Smyth nor Brown has secured the position, giving the two-time All-Pro an opportunity to claim the job during Friday’s game in Dallas.

Atlanta’s quarterback contest heats up as Penix returns

Michael Penix Jr. has been cleared for full-team work after recovering from the torn ACL he sustained last November.

Penix split first-team repetitions with Tua Tagovailoa on Monday, completing three of four passes and finishing practice with an impressive throw to Drake London.

Tagovailoa, meanwhile, completed three of five attempts for 22 yards in his only preseason appearance.

Atlanta have not named their Week 1 starter, leaving Friday’s trip to Tagovailoa’s former team, the Miami Dolphins, as the final staging post in a fascinating contest.

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