Fifth-Round Pick Shedeur Sanders Set to Start Browns’ First Preseason Game Against Panthers
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is set to start the team’s first preseason game on Friday night against the Carolina Panthers. The decision comes after starting quarterback Kenny Pickett and rookie Dillon Gabriel both suffered hamstring injuries, leaving Sanders as the team’s most viable option under center. Despite being fourth-string on the unofficial Browns depth chart, Sanders will be tasked with leading the offense in a crucial preseason matchup.
Sanders, a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has been working his way up the depth chart after initially being held out of Saturday’s training camp practice due to arm soreness. However, he has been participating fully on Monday and is expected to be at full strength for Friday’s game. His father, Deion Sanders, is expected to be in attendance to watch his son’s performance, adding an extra layer of significance to the game.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has opted for Sanders to start the preseason opener instead of 40-year-old quarterback Joe Flacco in order to protect the veteran from potential injury. The Browns have also signed quarterback Tyler Huntley as a backup, but he is likely to come off the bench when Sanders’ time on the field is over.
Sanders has only seen reps against the first-team Browns defense, a formidable group, a total of four snaps, which came last week. However, he has been showcasing his accuracy, one of his biggest strengths while playing under his father at Colorado, and is expected to display that in Berea, Ohio. The Browns’ coaching staff is closely monitoring his performance to assess his readiness for the upcoming season.
The game will be a key opportunity for Sanders to demonstrate his skills and build confidence as he transitions from college to the professional level. The football world will be watching closely on Friday night just as they were during the 2025 NFL Draft, as Sanders tumbled down the draft board to day three, where the Browns finally took him with the 144th overall pick. Gabriel, on the other hand, was taken in the third round.
Sanders’ performance in the preseason game will be critical for the Browns as they look to evaluate their quarterback options. The team will also be looking to see how Sanders interacts with starting players like Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tilliman, Diontae Johnson, and David Njoku, particularly given the lack of reps they have had together. The Browns’ coaching staff will be closely monitoring these dynamics to ensure a cohesive unit on the field.
Despite the high stakes, Sanders has remained focused on his own performance and has not wanted to see his father at practice yet. However, he is eager to show his father just how far he has come since his time at Colorado.