Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start for the Cleveland Browns in their preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, as announced by head coach Kevin Stefanski. Sanders, a fifth-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, will get his first taste of game action in a Browns uniform.
His opportunity comes amidst a crowded and competitive quarterback room that includes fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, and newly signed former Pro Bowler Tyler Huntley.
The Browns had initially taken Gabriel in the third round, ahead of Sanders, and both rookies have been competing for playing time alongside the experienced quarterbacks. However, hamstring injuries to both Gabriel and Pickett have ruled them out of Friday’s game. This situation, coupled with the coaching staff’s apparent desire to manage the 40-year-old Flacco’s workload, has opened the door for Sanders to lead the offense in the preseason opener.
Shedeur Sanders (NFL)Sanders Faces Key Opportunity Amid Joint Practices and Injuries
Throughout training camp, Flacco has taken the majority of reps with the starting offense, while Sanders has seen the fewest. Still, with Gabriel and Pickett sidelined, Sanders gets a prime opportunity to prove himself. It will be a significant test for the rookie, as his performance could have a major impact on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart heading into the regular season.
Leading up to the game, the Browns are participating in joint practices with the Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina. These sessions will serve as a warm-up and evaluation period for both teams. Sanders’ development and execution during these practices and the preseason game itself will be closely watched by the coaching staff as they continue shaping the roster.
