Shedeur Sanders Dealt Harsh Reality Ahead of Roster Cuts

The Cleveland Browns have created a complicated situation at quarterback and Shedeur Sanders is facing a difficult reality with roster cuts and the regular season quickly approaching.

Sanders has been part of the Browns’ four-man competition to start Week 1, though he was never viewed as a realistic option. The former Colorado standout did not take any reps with the first-team offense during training camp, while Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel all did.

Sanders generated some momentum in his NFL debut, throwing for 138 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland’s preseason opener. But an oblique injury suffered during a joint practice with the Eagles sidelined him for the team’s second preseason game, stalling his progress.

Sanders recently returned to practice and will get one more shot in the preseason finale. Both Flacco — officially named the Week 1 starter this week — and Gabriel will see the field before Sanders. Pickett likely would too, but the former first-round pick is sidelined with a hamstring injury he’s been dealing with since late July.

Browns Questioned Over Decision to Keep Shedeur Sanders Around

The Browns have said they’re open to keeping four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. That count does not include $230 million passer Deshaun Watson, who is rehabbing an Achilles injury and could return later this season.

Jason Lloyd of The Athletic questioned Shedeur Sanders’ place in the mix as Cleveland searches for stability at the position with a lack of reps to go around.

“Since Gabriel remains the preferred choice of the head coach after OTAs, minicamps and training camp, and the Browns are intent on taking another quarterback in the first round next year, why keep Sanders? It’s just clouding the airspace and limiting the reps for everyone,” Lloyd said.

If Sanders were a typical fifth-round pick, the Browns could stash him on the practice squad as a developmental prospect. However, Cleveland would open the door for another team to snag him if they do so.

“Of course, the answer is a fear that Sanders may develop elsewhere, which is entirely possible,” Lloyd said. “If Sanders spends the next few months making gains in the film room and learning to process a complex offense, the payoff could be substantial. However, another college quarterback class is about to form, and time is not on Sanders’ side. He remains in purgatory — enough potential to make you want to see more, but not enough reps to get there.”

Shedeur Sanders Says He’ll Be Prepared for Opportunity

Flacco has been named the Week 1 starter, but the Browns have yet to finalize their depth chart. It’s expected to mirror the preseason order, with Pickett and Gabriel ahead of Sanders.

Despite his situation, Sanders has said all the right things since arriving in Cleveland. He’s vowed that if his number is called, he’ll be ready for the opportunity.

“I’m happy. I always got good energy because I’m blessed to come out here every day,” Sanders said on Thursday. “Regardless of situation, regardless of anything, I know my time, whenever that is, I’ll be ready for it and I’m going to embrace that. But in due time I got many things I need to fix, many things I need to work on, and I’m not oblivious to that. So all I look at as I’m getting more time to cook, I’m getting more time to warm up. That’s all it is.”

The Browns open the regular season on Sept. 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.