Shedeur Sanders is set for his biggest opportunity yet with the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns are expected to start Sanders in their first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, per Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
“Sanders, the Browns fourth-team quarterback who has yet to take a snap with the first-team offense, is expected to start the game,” Cabot said. “He’ll get the nod because Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are both nursing hamstring injuries, and the Browns don’t want Joe Flacco, 40, playing in the preseason opener.”
It’s uncertain how many of the Browns’ top players will suit up for the preseason opener. Myles Garrett, Jerry Jeudy, Denzel Ward and other established veterans are likely to sit out.
“I’d say we’re working through it,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday. “We’ll hold some guys out of the game, but we’re looking forward to the game. That’s the fun part for our players to get down there and compete against the Panthers on Wednesday (in a joint practice), compete against them Friday night. But we will hold some guys out.”
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders: It’s About Going All Out
Sanders has worked almost exclusively with backups during training camp, so he’ll have a chance to prove himself with some live action. On Monday, Sanders said he did not know the plan but was looking forward to reps.
“Reps, I think that’s pretty much it — just reps,” Sanders said of his hopes for the first preseason game. “I think every rep I get in general is valuable. You know, we definitely taking things up a notch with everything. Every rep, anytime I step on the field, I take it like it could be my last. Because you don’t know. There are players that we were just practicing with last week, that’s not here no more. So, like I said, it’s more about a bond. It’s more about going all out.”
Sanders is unlikely to play the entire game. Cleveland brought in veteran quarterback Tyler Huntley this week, adding some depth with Pickett and Gabriel banged up. Huntley spent last year’s preseason with the Browns.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Has Felt Mental Growth
Sanders has been adjusting to the speed of the NFL game during camp. But where the former Colorado star feels he’s had the most growth is mentally.
“Regardless if people, if media, have good ways or bad ways to come about me, I’m more mature in not making those same mistakes I made in college or whatever I did,” Sanders said. “So I treat everybody with respect and with care, and whenever everybody gets over their own hate towards me for their own weird reason, then everything will be back good. So that’s it. That’s where I grew the most is I’ll say mentally.”
The matchup against the Panthers marks Sanders’ first real opportunity to silence critics following his dramatic slide from a projected early first-round pick to the fifth round. A strong showing could shake up the quarterback competition in Cleveland.
