Shedeur Sanders injury casts doubt over quarterback plans

One of the big story lines of this NFL offseason has been the emerging battle to be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns have four QBs on their roster but don’t yet have a clear front-runner to be a starter. The more experienced Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are thought to be in contention to begin as starter, but they could soon be replaced by either Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders, both entering their rookie seasons.

Sanders was only taken in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft but he has impressed at training camp. There has even been some suggestion that he has played himself into contention in the eyes of Cleveland’s coaches but an injury setback back harm his progress.

On Saturday Shedeur Sanders did not participate in team drills due to arm soreness. He has taken only a few first team reps so far at Browns practice.

He did take part in some “post-practice sprints with wide receiver” but did not throw. The Browns have Sunday off and it remains to be seen what part Sanders will play in Monday’s session.

The injury is not expected to be a major one for Sanders and he looks set to return in the near future. But it came at a point when he needs to be earning more reps with the first team if he wants to move himself up the Cleveland pecking order.

It is a valuable opportunity missed for Sanders, who could have taken more reps in place of the injured Kenny Pickett. The 27-year-old Pickett is expected to contend for the starter’s jersey to begin the 2025 season but he is currently a limited participant in team sessions due to a hamstring injury.

“Obviously disappointed that he’s not full go, but he’s very much involved in everything we’re doing,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s a player that has had a good amount of NFL game exposure.”

“He’s had a lot of reps going back through the spring and what we’ve gotten accomplished so far through training camp. You don’t want anybody to be missing action due to any injury, but he has done a nice job of staying very much engaged.”

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