Kenny Pickett is out and the Cleveland Browns are uncertain when he will return.
Pickett is part of a four-man competition for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland. He injured his hamstring on Saturday, before the Browns had an off day in their training camp schedule.
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Pickett was in strong consideration for the starting role, neck-and-neck with Joe Flacco. Rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are also in the mix.
With Pickett sidelined, the Browns said Flacco will get the majority of first-team reps. The team is uncertain about when Pickett will be back.
“I don’t have a timeline. You know, with something like this, we’ll see how it goes. But his mindset, my mindset, will just go day to day,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday.
Stefanski also declined to go into any detail on the injury.
“I’m not going to get into specifics on the injury other than to tell you he’s going to do everything in his power to get back ASAP,” Stefanski said. “For any player, you’re disappointed when you can’t be out there with any injury, but he’ll be fine. He’ll rehab, he’ll get back out very quickly … he’s going to miss today and maybe a couple of days. But we’ll re-evaluate it after this block, if you will. But again, disappointed for Kenny, but he’s here. He is getting better and we’ll see when he’s back out there.”
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Pickett impressed during the first few days of camp, showcasing his play-making ability with his legs. It’s something that the 40-year-old Flacco does not bring to the table.
“I thought Kenny had a strong block there,” Stefanski said. “He did use his mobility a couple times there and he’s a fast player. He can really run so we’ll make sure that he heals up nice and fast and then get him back out there. But I thought he had a good four days.”
The Browns traded for Pickett in March, bringing the former first-round pick over from the Philadelphia Eagles. Pickett was a backup in Philadelphia to Jalen Hurts but he started his career in Pittsburgh. He spent two years as the starter with the Steelers, posting a 14-10 record. He recorded 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in a Steelers uniform.
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Pickett’s injury puts Flacco in pole position to start Week 1. But Sanders and Gabriel will also have a chance to make up some ground with more reps to go around.
“I think all these guys have to learn from every single rep, whether they’re in there or not,” Stefanski said. “I think that’s something we’ve talked about at length. I’ve talked with you guys about that.”
The Browns selected Gabriel in the third round and added Sanders in the fifth, ending his unexpected draft slide. Gabriel has seen occasional reps with the first-team offense, while Sanders is still waiting for his first opportunity to work with the starters.
“I thought Dillon did a nice job with the reps that he had. There were some really good moments and then some moments that are great teaching moments,” Stefanski said. “I think that’s so much of where we are in training camp is making sure that, as a mistake is made, we don’t make the same mistake again.”
The Browns’ first preseason action will come on August 8 against the Carolina Panthers.
