Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was back on the practice field Monday, just two days after experiencing arm soreness that kept him from participating in Saturday’s session. “I’m well. I’m back at practice today, so I’m thankful,” Sanders stated, expressing relief at his return.
The soreness is something Sanders is familiar with, having dealt with it frequently during his college career. “Yeah, in college, it was often,” he remarked. “It’s just adjusting to starting and stopping, honestly. Sometimes you go in hot, then wait for a second and get cold, and then back to hot again. My arm and body wasn’t used to that. It’s just an adjustment within my body, within my arm.”
Currently, Sanders is in competition for the starting quarterback position alongside Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Joe Flacco, although he has received fewer first-team snaps than his peers. Pickett has recently returned from a hamstring injury, adding another layer to the competition.
“Every rep I get in general is valuable,” Sanders emphasized. “We’re definitely taking things up a notch with everything. Anytime I step on the field, I take it like it could be my last. You don’t know. There were players we were practicing with last week that aren’t here anymore. It’s more about a bond. It’s more about going all out. It’s more about how you’ll be remembered.”
As the 144th overall pick in the draft, Sanders has shown promise, completing 49 of 70 passes for six touchdowns and no interceptions during the first eight days of practice. In his two seasons at Colorado, he achieved a remarkable completion rate of 71.8 percent for a total of 7,364 yards, scoring 64 touchdowns against 13 interceptions.
Sanders’ ability to navigate the challenges of adjustment and competition at the professional level reflects his resilience and readiness for the upcoming season. His dedication to improvement and team bonding is a promising sign for the Browns moving forward.