Shedeur Sanders suffered an injury this week and is set to miss out on a chance to impress Cleveland Browns fans on Saturday, while learning who is set to start in his place in their QB battle
Shedeur Sanders could lose significant ground in the quarterback battle with the Cleveland Browns this weekend, being set to miss out through injury, with Dillon Gabriel getting the start.
Gabriel is the man in direct competition with Sanders for the backup and third-string spot with the team, after both were drafted by the Browns this offseason. Gabriel was selected in the third round, before the Browns came back and surprisingly picked Sanders in the fifth.
After both Gabriel and Kenny Pickett missed the preseason opener, Sanders was given the bulk of the reps at quarterback. He had impressed in the game, completing 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
But this week, Sanders suffered a minor injury in practice, meaning he’ll miss the game with the Eagles, with Gabriel set to take those reps from him.
Pickett is set to miss out on the game too, meaning that Gabriel could have an entire half to show his worth. It could be a huge blow, with the Browns being incentivized to keep Gabriel, selecting him with a third-round pick.
Gabriel is said to have struggled in practice so far, with fans getting the opportunity to see him in the NFL for the first time. He dominated at both Oklahoma and Oregon, being selected on day two of the draft, despite concerns about his height.
Sanders is widely accepted to have been the more impressive of the two throughout preseason, capped by his performance against the Panthers.
Gabriel will feel he needs to put in a strong showing after Sanders’ game, with the Browns unlikely to keep four quarterbacks on the roster.
In recent weeks, former Pro Bowl quarterback Tyler Huntley was signed after Pickett and Gabriel suffered injuries; he is also looking to impress and make a case that he should make the team.
Huntley will also play against the Eagles, while likely sharing halves with Gabriel after taking the field following Sanders’ opener last week.
The severity of Sanders’ oblique injury is unknown, but it’s enough to keep him out of this game on Saturday.
It’s a huge blow, taking one of his three preseason opportunities away from him. While most teams keep two quarterbacks on the roster, the Browns may have to keep three due to the talent at the position they’ll feel they have.
Sanders would be sought-after should he fail to make the Browns roster. He’ll hope to return for the final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.
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