The Cleveland Browns started training camp with four quarterbacks, two of whom — Kenny Pickett and Shedeur Sanders — are now battling injury concerns.
Pickett described to reporters on Saturday, August 3, being “frustrated” by a hamstring strain he suffered exactly one week before, which sidelined him for multiple days and now has him operating in a limited capacity.
The fourth-year signal-caller — who is in the middle of a QB competition that could result in him starting Week 1 if he wins, or traded and playing for another franchise before the month is out if he loses — detailed the push and pull he’s had with the franchise over his full-time return.
“I would be out there trying to push through it, you know, more like staying in the pocket and stuff. I try to plead my case, but everyone has a job to do,” Pickett said. “They’re looking out for me, and I appreciate that. But you’re also fighting the battle to get out there, so it’s tough.”
Kenny Pickett Admits He Won’t Be ‘Same Guy’ Upon Return From Injury
Pickett added he does not believe he’ll be his complete self upon his return to the field, whenever that happens.
“I’ll have to manage it whenever I’m back, probably [for] a few weeks after based on the injury and where I’m at,” Pickett admitted. “But I think it gives me a great opportunity just to work from the pocket, find check downs, really improve my game from the pocket. So, I think if I look at it with that lens, it could be a real positive.”
One thing that was not a positive was head coach Kevin Stefanski’s hesitancy to commit to Pickett’s availability for joint practices against the Carolina Panthers this week ahead of Cleveland’s first preseason game on August 8.
“Yeah, he’s pushing himself to get back to full team periods as soon as possible,” Stefanski said. “We’re also going to be smart and be appropriate with where he is. But I thought he did a nice job yesterday, and we’ll continue to work that day to day.”
Kenny Pickett’s Fight to Get Back to Training Camp May Also Prove Fight for Job With Browns
The more days Pickett misses, the less likely he is to be able to fend off Joe Flacco for the starting job Week 1.
And considering the incentive the Browns will have to play Sanders and/or Dillon Gabriel if things fall apart in Cleveland by mid-season, losing the starting job to Flacco could mean Pickett never ends up getting a shot with the team this year.
It could even result in the Browns choosing to trade him elsewhere ahead of the season-opener or perhaps prior to the NFL’s November deadline for such transactions.
Gabriel had a poor practice session on Saturday, according to reporters in attendance, while Sanders missed the work entirely with shoulder soreness. The severity of Sanders’ health issue remained unclear as of Saturday evening.
