Who Should I Start? Kenny Pickett or Tyler Shough

Wednesday, August 6, 12:09 PM

Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Kenny Pickett (hamstring) and Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) will not play in the team's preseason opener this Friday against the Carolina Panthers, per Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. In addition, the Browns will hold out veteran Joe Flacco, which means rookie fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders will make the start and share QB duties with the recently-signed Tyler Huntley. Although nothing is official yet, Flacco is now the strong favorite to be named Cleveland's starting QB heading into Week 1 of the regular season. Both Pickett and the rookie Gabriel have been held out of team drills the last few days with hamstring injuries, and the minor ailment has really put a dent in Pickett's chances of winning the QB competition. It's unclear if both Pickett and Gabriel will be ready to go for the second preseason game on Aug. 16 versus the Eagles.

Friday, August 8, 3:11 PM

Gilbert Manzano of Sports Illustrated writes that New Orleans Saints rookie second-round quarterback Tyler Shough showed improvement at practice on Thursday while working with the first-team offense. Head coach Kellen Moore said he hasn't decided how he'll divvy up the QB snaps in the preseason opener on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, but it's a good sign that Shough was the first to see first-team reps on Thursday. The 25-year-old showed confidence and made quick decisions with the football while also using his legs a few times. According to receiver Rashid Shaheed, Shough is thinking less and allowing his pass-catchers to make plays. Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener are still competing for the QB job, and the Saints don't seem to be in a rush to name a Week 1 starter. Fantasy managers should be avoiding the situation entirely in 2025.