All eyes are going to be on Shedeur Sanders as he makes his NFL preseason debut and attempts to show the Cleveland Browns he can be a factor in the team’s wide-open quarterback battle.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Sanders, a fifth-round rookie, would be able to play in Cleveland’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. He was dealing with arm soreness that threw into doubt his status for the Friday night battle.
But after returning to practice Monday, the Colorado product is going to get a chance to play in Cleveland’s preseason opener.
Here’s what to know about Sanders’ status for Cleveland’s first preseason game.
Is Shedeur Sanders playing preseason Week 1?
The Browns are expected to start Sanders in their Week 1 preseason opener, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
The decision comes as the Browns deal with several quarterback injuries. Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are both dealing with hamstring issues, and it isn’t clear whether they will suit up for the contest. Meanwhile, Cabot reports Cleveland would prefer not to play 40-year-old Joe Flacco, who is currently penciled in as the team’s top quarterback, in the preseason opener.
That would leave Sanders and recently signed veteran Tyler Huntley as the candidates to receive the most playing time against the Panthers.
It’s worth noting Sanders missed practice time ahead of Cleveland’s first preseason game while dealing with arm soreness. However, he returned to practice Monday and downplayed the malady, saying he was back to 100% during that session.
Sanders initially acknowledged he wasn’t exactly sure how the team would use him in his potential preseason debut.
‘I haven’t been told that yet,’ Sanders told reporters at Monday’s practice.
But Sanders made it clear he is looking forward to getting as many reps as possible, knowing he may only get a few chances to prove himself as he attempts to climb Cleveland’s wide-open quarterback depth chart.
‘I think every rep I get in general is valuable,’ Sanders said. ‘We definitely taking things up a notch, I would say, with everything. So, every rep – anytime I step on the field, I take it like it could be my last. Because you don’t know. There’s players that we was just practicing with last week that’s not here no more.’
Browns QB depth chart
The Browns listed four quarterbacks on their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason before signing Huntley amid their injury concerns. Below is a look at how their current quarterback depth chart shakes out:
- Joe Flacco
- Kenny Pickett
- Dillon Gabriel
- Shedeur Sanders
- Tyler Huntley
The Browns also have Deshaun Watson on their 90-man roster, but the 29-year-old isn’t expected to play in 2025 after tearing his Achilles twice in three months.
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.
