Shedeur Sanders Injury Clouds Browns’ Preseason Outlook
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Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is considered unlikely to participate in Saturday’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles after sustaining an oblique injury during drills on Wednesday. The injury throws a degree of uncertainty into the Browns’ quarterback depth chart as they navigate the preseason schedule.
Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, did not complete the remainder of Wednesday’s practice and has been ruled out of Thursday’s session. The Browns have described his condition as day to day.
Promising Debut Hampered by Setback
Despite the injury, Sanders had made a strong first impression. In his NFL preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers on Friday night, he completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and threw two first-half touchdown passes to Kaden Davis, leading the Browns to a victory.
The performance even garnered attention from NBA superstar LeBron James, who posted on social media, “That young (man) looking good out there. Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high.”
Draft Day Surprise and QB Room Competition
Sanders’ selection by the Browns in the fifth round of the NFL draft, 144th overall, was considered a significant drop for a player with his profile and name recognition. He finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy balloting last season while playing for Colorado, where he set a school record with 4,134 passing yards.
The Browns’ quarterback situation is particularly complex this season, with Deshaun Watson expected to miss the season due to a torn Achilles tendon. Sanders is competing for playing time with Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco, and third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, who boasts a remarkable collegiate record of 188 total touchdowns across six seasons at Central Florida, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Both Pickett and Gabriel have experienced minor injuries in training camp, with Pickett dealing with a hamstring issue and Gabriel reporting a tight hamstring.
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The Browns will closely monitor Sanders’ recovery as they evaluate their options at quarterback heading into the regular season.
