Browns Make Final Call on Shedeur’s Status vs. Eagles

Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will sit out the Cleveland Browns’ second preseason game Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering an oblique injury during joint practices.

Sanders was hurt Wednesday during early throwing drills against the Eagles and has been sidelined since. While the Browns have not released an official injury report, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reported the team intends to rest him.

“Sanders strained the oblique in early throwing drills against the Eagles on the first day of joint practices on Wednesday and sat out the rest of the session. He also sat out Thursday and will rest on Sunday during the second preseason game,” Cabot said.

The fifth-round pick started Cleveland’s first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. It was a strong debut in his push up the depth chart before the injury halted his momentum.

“Felt it early, I think, warming up and then felt it throughout individuals, so took a look at it. You know, if it’s a right guard, you can play through that. When it’s a quarterback, you kind of need that muscle to throw,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said of Sanders’ injury. “So unfortunately, going to put him down for a little bit here. We’ll treat it day to day and see how he responds. But want to be smart because he’s a thrower, so you can’t push that thing.”

The Browns are hopeful Sanders will return next week for their preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, traditionally used as a “dress rehearsal” for the regular season.

Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Will Get Preseason Spotlight

Sanders, Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco will not suit up Saturday, putting the spotlight on rookie Dillon Gabriel. The third-round pick is expected to get a similar showcase to what Sanders had last week.

Gabriel, who suffered a hamstring injury in early August, returned to full practice this week and participated in joint sessions against the Eagles. The Browns will evaluate him once more before kickoff, but he is likely to start and log significant snaps.

“He continues to keep the focus on one day at a time and taking what comes to him,” Stefanski said. “Obviously anytime you miss reps due to injury, you got to make sure you’re staying as sharp as you can. And I think he’s done a nice job of that in meetings.”

Veteran Tyler Huntley is also expected to see time under center against Philadelphia. Pickett remains limited due to a hamstring injury and won’t face his former team.

Joe Flacco Likely Week 1 Starter for Browns

The Browns have yet to name a starting quarterback, but all signs point to 40-year-old Flacco as the obvious choice. He’s stayed healthy through camp and has taken the majority of first-team reps.

Flacco said he isn’t concerned about the team’s slow approach to making the announcement.

“Kevin’s Kevin, man,” Flacco said this week, referring to Stefanski. “He’s the one in charge, and I’m not really looking into when he’s going to do things and why he’s going to do things. I’m just going out there and being myself and feel really confident about what I’ve been doing.”

The Browns open the season September 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, kicking off a demanding early stretch on the schedule. Turning to Flacco, who brings more than 200 career starts, offers stability out of the gate. But if the team falters, the rookies — or even Pickett — could get their chance as the season wears on.