The Cleveland Browns have confirmed that the team's starters will be rested for their final pre-season game against the Chicago Bears.

Head coach Rob Chudzinski had initially indicated that the first team would play 10 to 12 reps against in tonight's final pre-season contest, but told reporters yesterday that nearly all of the starters will sit out.

Offensive tackle Joe Thomas told The AP: "I haven't played in the fourth pre-season game since 2008 or so. It's been about five years.

"Every coach has a philosophy and he'll back it up with a philosophy of wanting to play X number of plays or so. In the end, it doesn't really matter as long as you stay healthy.

"The fourth game is really all about some of the young guys trying to earn a job. If they can't make this team, they are trying to put together good film so they get picked up by somebody else."

The Browns begin the regular season against the Miami Dolphins.