Kevin Stefanski has planted Joe Flacco firmly at the center of the Browns’ offense ahead of Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett, and Shedeur Sanders. This roster decision was backed by the logic of experience, despite the 2 preseason wins of the Browns without Flacco. It was Sanders who first ignited the offense, making his debut on August 8 at Bank of America Stadium. That night, he threw for two TDs, ran for 19 yards, and completed 14 of 23 passes in a 30-10 win against the Panthers. But that was around the time his momentum faced another hiccup. In Week 2, the spotlight shifted to Gabriel, who stepped up as Sanders nursed his oblique injury. With the number one spot sealed, the real question now lingers over #2-4.
As the Browns enter their final preseason week, the rookie’s oblique injury continues to define the storyline. Stefanski admitted the plan was conservative, saying, “Going to do a little bit less today. Give him a break and see how it responds and then see how he’s feeling for tomorrow.” That cautious approach kept Sanders out of live action again.
On August 19, Adam Schefter took to X with a surprising update that the Browns plan to keep all four quarterbacks. Stefanski has yet to make clear where rookie Sanders stands in the rotation. Browns insider Fred Greetham shed light on the debate by posting, “#Browns Kevin Stefanski said Shedeur Sanders would not do much in practice, but were hoping he might do more on Wednesday. He was on the field, suited up.” A lot hangs on his performance on August 20.
#Browns Kevin Stefanski said Shedeur Sanders would not do much in practice, but were hoping he might do more on Wednesday. He was on the field suited up.
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) August 19, 2025
More clarity came from camp when Daryl Ruiter reported, “As Kevin Stefanski indicated before practice, not much from Shedeur Sanders today. Sanders was dressed and threw a few warm-up balls, but that was it for the rookie. #Browns.” His update confirmed what many suspected: that Sanders’ workload remains limited. The promising rookie has been slowed, leaving the coaching staff to balance caution with injury. After all, if Flacco’s age becomes an issue later, we can expect Sanders to keep the franchise afloat.
Instead, the spotlight shifted to Kenny Pickett. He is climbing back after a hamstring injury suffered on July 26. He finally joined the 11-on-11 drills, his first extended action in nearly three weeks. Stefanski acknowledged the progress, noting Pickett “continues to progress nicely.” Do not expect to see Sanders under the spotlight so soon. Looks like his injury is shadowing his progress.
What are the ripple effects of Shedeur Sanders’ injury?
Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reported that Kevin Stefanski acknowledged Sanders’s hard work. Yet the coach refused to offer clarity on the rookie quarterback’s place in the pecking order. Stefanski told reporters, “I’m not going to get into specifics on the players and where they’re getting reps, those type of things. He’s working extremely hard. All those guys are. We’re still not yet through the installation schedule. We’re still just introducing two-minute yesterday. We’ll introduce some different distances today situationally. So I wouldn’t really think much past that.” Caution is the word for Sanders right now.
Cleveland remains unwilling to risk further damage by pushing Sanders onto the field too soon. Stefanski expanded on the challenge of his injury, saying, “When it’s a quarterback, you kind of need that muscle to throw. So, unfortunately, going to put him down for a little bit here. We’ll treat it day to day and see how he responds. But want to be smart because he’s a thrower, so you can’t push that thing.” The Browns know a setback could derail the rookie’s progress.
Sanders’s absence has left the spotlight shining on Dillon Gabriel. The rookie was given genuine first-team snaps in practice, though the experiment faded quickly. By the conclusion of joint sessions with Philadelphia, concerns had surfaced. Draft analyst Tony Pauline noted, “Sources at practice tell me it seems as though Gabriel is purposely looking to leave the pocket, despite the design of the play, and that’s not a good thing.” For Cleveland, that habit raised new doubts about his readiness for live game speed.
The Browns’ quarterback depth chart has taken repeated blows, leading to the emergency signing of Tyler Huntley. That move underscored the instability and the need for a reliable option. Gabriel still appears unsettled in the pocket, his reads inconsistent, his timing unsteady. And Sanders? His oblique continues to hold him back. For now, the rookie remains a question mark, and his path to meaningful snaps has been delayed.
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