After a standout performance in his NFL debut, Shedeur Sanders’ rise through the Browns’ depth chart hits a snag with a preseason injury that could cost him critical reps.
Just days after impressing in his NFL preseason debut, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has suffered a setback that could stall his momentum.
Sanders sustained a mild oblique strain during warmups ahead of a joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles on August 13. He missed practice that day and the next, and is unlikely to play in the Browns’ second preseason game on August 16. While he’s listed as day-to-day, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Sanders had seized an unexpected opportunity to start the Browns’ first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 19 rushing yards. His poise and dual-threat ability drew praise across the NFL, and even earned him a Nike ad celebrating one of his scores.
But despite the breakout performance, Sanders remains fourth on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart, behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel. With Pickett and Gabriel also dealing with minor injuries, Sanders had a chance to climb the ranks—until his own injury sidelined him.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has emphasized development and evaluation, but hasn’t committed to Sanders moving up the chart. With only one preseason game left on August 23 against the Rams, Sanders’ window to prove himself is narrowing.
The Browns are expected to carry four quarterbacks on the active roster, and Sanders is likely to be one of them. But missing valuable reps could limit his chances to earn meaningful playing time early in the regular season.
For now, Sanders’ NFL journey remains promising—but the path just got a lot tougher.