Don’t go penciling Sheduer Sanders into the Browns’ starting lineup — let alone the reserves — just yet.
Sanders remains fourth on the team’s depth chart ahead of Cleveland’s second preseason game despite a strong performance in his first professional game Friday against the Panthers.
Cleveland listed Joe Flacco as the leader, followed by the injured Kenny Pickett, rookie third-rounder Dillon Gabriel and then Sanders.
Sanders, 23, completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers, while adding four rushes for 19 yards.
Training camp depth charts are not the be-all end-all since they can change on a whim and can factor in a player’s status.
For example, the Broncos listed second-rounder RJ Harvey as their fifth-string running back. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who think Harvey is on the verge of being cut.
Sanders entered camp as the fourth option and the Browns aren’t changing their pecking order even after he tallied two touchdown passes in his debut, likely for several reasons.
It has long been expected that Flacco or Pickett would start, and the Browns did draft Gabriel two rounds prior to Sanders.
Sanders only started receiving first-team reps in advance of Friday’s game since Pickett and Gabriel did not play due to injury and the 40-year-old Flacco sat out due to age and experience.
One quality showing in a preseason game seemingly isn’t going to alter how the team had viewed them entering the game.
“We’re really just focused on developing our players. We’re in evaluation mode,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said after Friday’s 30-10 road win.
“I’m pleased with where the guys are, but I’m not diving into a quarterback competition.”
Keeping Sanders with the fourth-stringers is also a safe way to handle the uncertainty with the team’s injury situation rather than having players worry they have been Wally Pipp’d.
Stefanski avoided a question about whether Sanders would receive more first- or-second-team reps moving forward.
“I’m pleased with the way Shedeur played, I’m pleased with the way the offense operated [Friday],” Stefanski said last week. “All things moving forward as we continue to practice will be focused on all of our guys’ development and getting these guys ready to ready to play for the season.”
While Pickett and Gabriel attempt to return to the field, Stefanski said Sanders will get a “ton” of reps this Saturday against the Eagles.
If he continues to stack performances like that, he will only help his case to stick with the team no matter where he sits on the depth chart.
ESPN previously reported the Browns are expected to carry all four quarterbacks, although it’s possible they could trade one before camp opens.
“I did some good and bad,” Sanders said after the game. “I know moving forward I won’t do the same mistakes twice, whatever the decision is.”
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