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The Cleveland Browns quarterback situation took another unexpected turn on Saturday. Head coach Kevin Stefanski announced earlier in the day that both Greg Newsome and Myles Garrett were absent from practice. It was later disclosed that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders also missed team drills due to shoulder soreness, though it’s unclear when the discomfort began.
Sanders, who once had aspirations of being a top-five NFL Draft pick, has faced a challenging offseason. Ultimately, he was selected by the Browns in the fifth round, despite the team’s earlier decision to draft Dillon Gabriel in the third round. Throughout training camp, Sanders has primarily worked with the third-string unit, but he did have the opportunity to face the first-team defense earlier this week.
Last week, Sanders found himself in a favorable position when Kenny Pickett, acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles, sustained a hamstring injury. Fortunately for the Browns, Pickett returned to practice on Friday, albeit in a limited capacity. The quarterback room also includes veteran Joe Flacco, while Deshaun Watson continues to recover from a second Achilles injury.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam recently remarked that the decision to draft Sanders ultimately rested with general manager Andrew Berry. "If you had told me Friday night [Day 2 of the NFL Draft] that we would pick Shedeur, I would have said, ‘That’s not happening,’" Haslam shared. "However, after discussions that morning and later that day, we had the right people involved in the conversation. At the end of the day, that’s Andrew’s decision. Just like who starts or what play is called is Kevin’s call."
As the preseason approaches, Sanders is set to make his debut in the Browns’ first game against the Carolina Panthers on Friday. Keep up with all the latest sports coverage by following Fox News Digital on X and subscribing to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter!
