Former NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton said on his podcast, 4th&1 with Cam Newton, that Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders also declined to be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. It was reported last week that the rookie turned down the Baltimore Ravens, though Newton said the initial reports failed to include that Sanders informed Philly he would prefer to be drafted by another team where he had a more realistic chance to play. One of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 draft, Sanders slipped into the fifth round to Cleveland, which already had taken Oregon's Dillon Gabriel earlier in the draft. The Browns dealt Kenny Pickett to Las Vegas prior to Week 1, leaving the two rookies as the only other healthy options behind stopgap starter Joe Flacco. For fantasy purposes, Sanders' only value this year is as a stash in dynasty formats.
Sep 18, 2025 9:32 AM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders made the active roster to open the regular season. Despite that, Sanders is reportedly unlikely to see the field this season. Joe Flacco will begin the season as the starter with rookie Dillon Gabriel serving as the backup. Sanders will be on the roster, but it appears he's only going to be used as the emergency quarterback. Browns' general manager Andrew Berry believes there is a place for Sanders on the roster. It sounds like things would have to go very sideways for the Browns to bring Sanders onto the field. The 23-year-old is worth stashing in dynasty leagues, but isn't likely to play right away.
Sep 6, 2025 7:23 PM EST
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks believes that Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders could make an impact in his first year in the league. Sanders had a poor showing in the team's preseason finale, but he also showed flashes that suggest he "has the talent and potential to develop into an effective NFL quarterback in a traditional pro-style system." Brooks adds that Sanders showed "impressive touch, timing and accuracy when playing with the No. 1 unit in the preseason opener." The fact that the Browns traded Kenny Pickett to the Raiders shows that the Browns saw enough out of Sanders and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel to make them the direct backup plans if veteran Joe Flacco doesn't work out as the starter. Cleveland's season would have to go south quickly for Sanders to see extensive playing time, but it wouldn't be the first time that has happened to a Browns team.
Aug 29, 2025 12:19 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders will open his first NFL season as the third QB, which means he will be able to dress for regular-season games. Veteran Joe Flacco will open the year as the starter under center for Cleveland, with rookie third-rounder Dillon Gabriel serving as his direct backup after the Brown traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders this week. The 23-year-old Sanders looked good in the team's preseason opener but then missed some time in training camp with an oblique injury, which didn't help his cause in passing Gabriel on the QB depth chart this summer. The Browns reunited with Bailey Zappe this week, but he will open the year on the practice squad. With two rookie QBs as their insurance policy, expect the Browns to giv Flacco a longer leash in 2025.
Aug 28, 2025 1:31 PM EST
According to Adam Schefter, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is set to make the 53-man roster. Earlier on Sunday, the Browns released Tyler Huntley, which leaves them with four quarterbacks on the roster. However, the Browns have planned to keep four quarterbacks on their roster, which means the Colorado product could be in the mix to see playing time during the regular season. Sanders flashed upside in his preseason debut when he went 14-for-23 with 138 passing yards and two scores against the Carolina Panthers. However, in his final preseason game this past weekend, he struggled, being sacked five times and completing only three passes. With Joe Flacco being named the starter, fantasy managers should expect Sanders to open the season serving as a backup option alongside fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel and veteran Kenny Pickett. He should be viewed as a low-upside stash option in deeper superflex dynasty formats.
Aug 24, 2025 7:01 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed three of his six passes for 14 yards in a 19-17 preseason win over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. Sanders played five series in the second half of the game and was unable to move the ball as each of his five drives ended in a Cleveland punt. He took five sacks with the Browns only picking up one first down with Sanders under center. It was a rough audition for Sanders, who was soundly outplayed by fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel in the preseason finale. The Browns could carry four quarterbacks on their final roster, but Sanders appears to be behind Gabriel as the team now turns their attention to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.
Aug 24, 2025 6:59 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) was limited in Wednesday's practice, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski, but the team was happy with the work he was able to get in in his return to practice. Sanders injured his oblique while practicing last week, following a strong preseason debut. Since then, the team has named veteran Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback for Week 1, but the rest of the depth chart remains to be sorted as Sanders, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel have all dealt with injuries and missed time throughout camp. The expectation is that the Browns may keep all four signal-callers on the 53-man roster, and it's not out of the question that each will see time as the starter at some point this season. Flacco could occasionally volume his way to late-round upside in superflex best-ball formats, but none of the Browns quarterbacks need to be rostered in redraft leagues. Meanwhile, Sanders offers intriguing potential and name recognition as a dynasty stash.
Aug 21, 2025 9:59 AM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) will not practice on Tuesday. The Browns will see how Sanders is doing on Wednesday. Sanders is dealing with an oblique injury that kept him sidelined for the team's second preseason game over the weekend, but the 23-year-old is considered day-to-day and could be back on the field on Wednesday. The Browns named veteran Joe Flacco as their Week 1 starter under center on Monday, but they have not named a No. 2 yet. Sanders, Kenny Pickett (hamstring) and rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) have all missed time now in camp due to injuries, making the decision more difficult. It could come down to who is able to play in the preseason finale on Saturday against the Rams. Sanders looked good in the preseason opener, but as long as Pickett is healthy, he will most likely be the QB2 to open the year.
Aug 19, 2025 6:11 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns are cautiously optimistic that rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) could return to training camp practice next week and play in the presason finale next Saturday, Aug. 23, against the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Sanders injured his oblique on Wednesday and will not play in the second preseason game on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the hope is fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) can start this weekend. The Browns are officially calling Sanders day-to-day. The 23-year-old looked good in his NFL debut in the preseason opener last week, but he was never realistically in the running to win the starting QB gig for the Browns going into the regular season. Until further notice, Sanders is strictly a dynasty/keeper league stash in fantasy formats.
Aug 15, 2025 7:52 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (oblique) is not expected to play in the team's second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. Sanders suffered an oblique injury on Wednesday and is considered "day-to-day." The fifth-round pick out of Colorado flashed in his preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of his 23 passing attempts for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Missing this week's game is not ideal for his development, and he's still likely behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel when all Cleveland quarterbacks are healthy. Fantasy managers can stash him in deep dynasty leagues, but it would be a surprise if he's a viable starting quarterback in 2025 redraft leagues.
Aug 13, 2025 3:59 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders (oblique) suffered an oblique injury in Wednesday's training camp practice and was held out the rest of the way, according to the team. It's unclear exactly how serious Sanders' oblique injury is, but with both Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel managing hamstring injuries in the last week-plus, the Browns' QB depth has thinned out considerably. The Browns were expected to start Sanders for a second straight week in this Saturday's preseason contest against the Eagles if both Pickett and Gabriel remain out, but they may have to go back to the drawing board now. If Cleveland wants to hold veteran Joe Flacco, the favorite for Week 1 starting duties out again, Tyler Huntley might be forced to play most of Saturday's contest. Sanders looked good in the preseason opener, but he still isn't a realistic starting candidate for the Browns.
Aug 13, 2025 12:04 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that the team plans to start rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders once again if neither Kenny Pickett (hamstring) or Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) is available, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday in their next preseason game. Veteran Joe Flacco is the leader in the clubhouse to start for Cleveland in Week 1, but the depth chart beyond that is up in the air as the Browns aim to sort things out during the preseason.
Aug 13, 2025 11:12 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders is listed as the QB4 on the team's second unofficial depth chart of the preseason, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Veteran Joe Flacco is listed as the starter, with Kenny Pickett (hamstring) behind him and rookie Dillon Gabriel as the QB3. While Sanders was not perfect by any means in the preseason opener last Friday night against the Carolina Panthers, he did well for himself by going 14-for-23 for 138 yards and two touchdowns while adding 19 rushing yards on four carries. The 23-year-old has gotten more opportunities in training camp with both Pickett and Gabriel missing time with hamstring injuries, but his strong performance over the weekend hasn't really moved the needle in terms of Sanders moving up the QB depth chart in Cleveland. He's going to need to show more.
Aug 11, 2025 6:32 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 14 of his 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns while rushing four times for 19 yards in a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in the preseason opener on Friday. Sanders got the start for Cleveland and found wide receiver Kaden Davis for a pair of scores in the second quarter. The rookie signal-caller played into the third quarter, leading a third touchdown drive that was capped off by a four-yard rushing score by Gage Larvadain before calling it a night. Sanders is looking to beat out Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel for the chance to be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. While there's still plenty of time left in the preseason, he made a good first impression on Friday night.
Aug 9, 2025 6:09 AM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on the team radio on Thursday that rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders will play the majority of the team's preseason opener on Friday night against the Carolina Panthers. "Fifty plays of game work, which I think will be great for him," Stefanski said. The Browns are choosing to rest veteran Joe Flacco, the favorite to start in Week 1, while Kenny Pickett and rookie Dillon Gabriel are both managing hamstring injuries. Once Sanders exits on Friday, the newly signed Tyler Huntley will take over under center. The 23-year-old Sanders has reportedly held his own during training camp, but he could struggle on Friday since he hasn't taken any snaps with the first-team offense during practices. Sanders isn't going to win the Browns' starting job in 2025, and he's merely competing to prove he belongs on their roster going into 2026.
Aug 8, 2025 3:16 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to start the team's preseason opener this Friday on the road against the Carolina Panthers with both Kenny Pickett and rookie Dillon Gabriel dealing with hamstring injuries, a source told Mark Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Sanders, who fell all the way to the fifth round in April's NFL draft, hasn't gotten a lot of work with the first-team offense in training camp, but he's going to be put to the test early in the preseason. The Browns signed Tyler Huntley for more QB depth on Tuesday, so veteran Joe Flacco will sit out on Friday. It will be interesting to see how Sanders fares on Friday, but even if he plays really well, he won't really be in serious contention to win the Browns' starting QB job heading into Week 1 of the regular season in early September.
Aug 5, 2025 5:10 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (shoulder) returned to training camp practice on Monday after dealing with some right-shoulder soreness over the weekend. Sanders said he is all good and would be a full-go at Monday's practice after being held out of team drills on Saturday. It sounds like the Browns were just being cautious with Sanders over the weekend. The 23-year-old famously fell all the way to the fifth round of this year's NFL draft after it was initially believed that he'd be a top-five pick. To make matters worse, Cleveland took rookie Dillon Gabriel ahead of Sanders in the same draft. There's plenty of raw talent with the son of former NFL legend Deion Sanders, but he also has plenty of flaws, primarily holding onto the ball too long. Sanders is merely trying to prove to the Browns this summer that he belongs in their plans long term.
Aug 4, 2025 3:07 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (arm soreness) did not participate in team drills during Cleveland's training camp practice on Saturday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Cabot reports that veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel took all the team reps, with quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) joining Sanders on the sideline. It does not sound as though this is expected to be a serious injury for Sanders, but the exact nature of the ailment is unclear. The Browns are holding an open competition for the starting quarterback job in camp, but early reporting indicates that Flacco is the heavy favorite to begin the season under center. Sanders has a long way to go before he's even the primary backup in Cleveland, so any further missed time would be detrimental to his 2025 outlook.
Aug 2, 2025 12:44 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders looked good during the team's eighth day of training camp. While Joe Flacco continued to shine, Sanders showed signs of growth, completing seven of his 10 attempts and throwing a touchdown. Kenny Pickett (hamstring) returned to practice on Friday. However, he was limited to individual drills. Pickett's return to full participation remains a mystery, which could open the door for Sanders and Dillon Gabriel to get first-team work in the coming days. While Gabriel struggled on Friday, he appears to still have the edge over Sanders. Still, neither rookie is expected to be under center as the starter come Week 1 when the Browns face the Bengals in an AFC North battle. With that said, Sanders' fantasy stock may rise if he continues to impress during the rest of training camp and throughout the preseason, although he has a way to go before earning a place on redraft rosters.
Aug 1, 2025 9:49 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is working behind veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel, saw action against the first-team defense for the first time during Wednesday's training camp practice. According to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, he was leading the second-team offense during this period. The rookie fifth-round pick out of Colorado has an opportunity to prove himself in the absence of Kenny Pickett (hamstring), so this could be a promising sign for his development. That said, Flacco remained the clear QB1 on Wednesday, and Sanders seemingly has an uphill battle to see any playing time in 2025. Dynasty managers in deep leagues can continue to stash him, but he's unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar in redraft leagues this fall.
Jul 30, 2025 3:23 PM EST
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