CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The latest twist in the Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition will lead to rookie Shedeur Sanders starting Friday night’s preseason opener at Carolina.
With injuries in the room leading to detours and even the addition of veteran Tyler Huntley, Sanders will go from the clear fourth choice throughout the first two weeks of camp to first on the field in the preseason.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Wednesday that Huntley will be the only other Cleveland quarterback available for the preseason matchup with the Panthers, which is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. ET.
Joe Flacco, the most experienced player of the group and the leader of the training camp competition, was never likely to play in Carolina. He and the Browns’ starters will be on the field Wednesday morning for a joint practice with the Panthers, but the team’s best and most experienced players likely won’t play in either of the first two preseason games.
Veteran quarterback Kenny Pickett has been a limited participant for more than a week due to a hamstring injury, and Stefanski said rookie Dillon Gabriel was dealing with hamstring tightness. Stefanski said Gabriel would be limited in Monday’s practice, and Gabriel participated but sat out the final drill, ceding snaps to Sanders.
Through 10 days of camp, Sanders is the only one of the four Browns quarterbacks not to take snaps with the No. 1 offense. He piloted the No. 2 offense in one drill last week against the Browns’ No. 1 defense, but the majority of his snaps in camp have come with and against the No. 3 units.
Pickett has been to practice after missing three days, but he’ll continue to be eased in. Sanders sat out some of Saturday’s practice due to arm soreness, but he returned Monday and said he’ll be fine.
Wednesday’s joint practice should provide some clarity on the Browns’ exact thinking and availability for Friday. Sanders likely won’t take No. 1 reps in the joint session, but he’ll have that practice and a Thursday walk-through to prepare further — and potentially get the chance to play the full game in the preseason opener.
Huntley was officially added to the quarterback room on Tuesday in a move that basically affirmed Sanders as the starter against Carolina. Huntley spent time with the Browns in the spring and summer of 2024 and can serve as an emergency backup until Gabriel and Pickett are ready for full competition.
Last week, Panthers coach Dave Canales said he planned to play most of his starters in the preseason opener.
(Photo: Nick Cammett / Getty Images)
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