Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to start for the Cleveland Browns in Friday’s preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers — according to Cleveland.com. The fifth-round draft pick is set to make his NFL debut earlier than anticipated, following a string of injuries and shifting priorities at training camp.
Sanders, the second quarterback selected by the Browns this year after third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, had entered camp behind veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett on the depth chart. However, hamstring injuries to both Gabriel and Pickett have opened the door for the 22-year-old to take the field in Charlotte.
The team added former Pro Bowl quarterback Tyler Huntley this week, further deepening the competition. Flacco, 40, has received the bulk of first-team reps but is unlikely to play extended preseason minutes as Cleveland manages his workload.
Shedeur Sanders arrives with considerable attention, having played under his father, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, during standout college seasons at Jackson State and Colorado. Known for his calm pocket presence and precise passing, Sanders has drawn praise despite receiving limited first-team practice reps thus far.
The Browns are still searching for stability under center, with Deshaun Watson sidelined until at least the regular season as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Head coach Kevin Stefanski and his staff are using the preseason to evaluate potential options for a short-term starter—and perhaps a long-term solution.
Friday’s matchup in Charlotte marks the first of two joint practices between the Browns and Panthers. It also offers Sanders a prime opportunity to prove he can handle NFL defenses in live action.
His unexpected ascent may prompt Cleveland to reassess his role beyond that of a developmental backup. For now, he’ll take center stage in one of the Browns’ most closely watched preseason openers in recent memory.
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