Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders day-to-day with oblique strain; backups prepare for Saturday
Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is listed as day-to-day with an oblique strain, head coach Kevin Stefanski said in his Thursday morning briefing. The injury occurred during Wednesday’s joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Yeah, felt it early, I think warming up and then felt it throughout individual drills, so took a look at it,” Stefanski explained. “If it’s a right guard, you can play through that. When it’s a quarterback, you kind of need that muscle to throw. So, unfortunately, going to put him down for a little bit here. We’ll treat it day-to-day and see how it responds. But, want to be smart because he’s a thrower—you can’t push that thing.”
Sanders will receive rest and targeted treatment as part of the plan to rebound. Stefanski added that throwers—especially those who torque and twist their bodies—require extra care to avoid aggravation.
Regarding Saturday’s preseason game against Philadelphia, Stefanski indicated Sanders is unlikely to play. If Sanders sits, Dillon Gabriel could start if his hamstring recovers enough and responds well to practice. There’s also a chance Tyler Huntley could see action for the full game, given veteran Joe Flacco is not slated to play and Kenny Pickett remains sidelined by a hamstring injury.
The situation puts a spotlight on Cleveland’s depth at the quarterback position as the team continues to evaluate options behind Sanders during the preseason. Expect updates on Sanders’s recovery as the practice week progresses, with the Browns prioritizing his health while still preparing a capable game plan for the exhibition contest.