Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was sidelined from team drills on Saturday due to arm soreness, according to the team’s announcement. With both Sanders and Kenny Pickett, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, limited, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel took on the majority of quarterback responsibilities during practice.
Despite his absence from drills, Sanders was seen participating in sprints with wide receivers towards the end of practice, indicating that he might soon be able to return to full activity. The team has an off day scheduled for Sunday, providing Sanders with additional time to recover before practices resume on Monday.
Sanders, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is vying for the starting quarterback position during training camp, but has been receiving limited first-team reps thus far. His performance is pivotal for the Browns as they aim to refine their offensive capabilities this season. In the meantime, Flacco offers veteran experience, while Gabriel continues to develop through crucial practice reps. Pickett, a former first-round draft pick and recent trade acquisition from the Philadelphia Eagles, remains on the mend as he recovers from his injury.
“It’s the next man up,” Pickett commented following Saturday’s practice. “When you’re not competing, you risk losing ground. While it’s beneficial for Joe and Dillon to take additional reps, both Shedeur and I need to get back on the field.”
As the Browns prepare for their preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers next Friday, monitoring Sanders’ recovery will be essential. With two of the four quarterbacks dealing with injuries, the health of the quarterback lineup is an important factor as Cleveland approaches the finalization of its depth chart.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned at the start of camp that the quarterback depth chart is still evolving and may change, while general manager Andrew Berry has not dismissed the idea of retaining four quarterbacks, contingent on their performance and fitness.
This situation sheds light on the competitive atmosphere within the Browns’ training camp, emphasizing the need for players to seize opportunities as the team prepares for an important season ahead. It will be intriguing to see how the quarterback situation unfolds as they keep working towards building a strong roster.