Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that quarterback Shedeur Sanders will return to action in the team’s final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams. Sanders missed the Browns’ second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles last week due to an oblique injury but has since made a full recovery. Stefanski stated that Sanders is feeling better and that, barring any setbacks, he will play in the Rams game. The coach emphasized that he does not anticipate any issues with Sanders’ condition, ensuring that the quarterback will be available for the final matchup of the preseason.
Joe Flacco, who has been named the team’s starting quarterback, is expected to play 25 to 30 snaps in the game, while rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel will take the second quarter and Sanders will play in the third. Sanders had an impressive debut in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Gabriel, who made his professional debut against the Eagles last week, had mixed results, completing 13 of 18 passes for 143 yards. However, he also threw a pick-six and lost a fumble on a botched handoff, indicating that he still has work to do in refining his performance under pressure.
The Rams game will be the first preseason matchup where both rookie quarterbacks will see action, as Flacco has been named the team’s starting quarterback. On the Browns’ depth chart, Kenny Pickett, the 2017 Pittsburgh Steelers first-round draft pick, is listed as Flacco’s backup, but he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since late July and will not play in Saturday’s game. This game will serve as a crucial opportunity for both Sanders and Gabriel to showcase their skills in a game setting, especially with the regular season approaching. The Browns’ final preseason game against the Rams is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday.