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Browns QB Shedeur Sanders crashes back to reality
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Scott Kinser- The USA Today Network via Imagn Images

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders crashes back to reality

The Cleveland Browns might be setting up Shedeur Sanders to become the starter by season's end, but Monday was a humbling experience for the rookie quarterback.

Fresh off a hot first start in the preseason, where Sanders went 14-of-23 passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers on Friday night, the Browns promptly sent the fifth-round pick right back down the pecking order at practice.

Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders was seen taking reps with the third-team offense at practice during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills. Joe Flacco worked with the first team, and Dillon Gabriel earned reps with the second team.

Before practice, Stefanski revealed that the Browns haven't decided on who would start against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday.

“I'm not there on the game itself," Stefanski said, per Oyefusi. "By Wednesday, Thursday, I'll have a better feel for the game and how we're going to handle that and I'll update you guys, but not there yet.”

Based on Gabriel working with the second team at practice, it appears Sanders is still behind the third-round pick on the depth chart.

The Browns used the excuse that Sanders had to practice with the equipment staff while Flacco, Pickett and Gabriel received reps with the first team because the former Colorado quarterback had to learn presnap procedures.

Sanders had no issues leading the huddle and getting the ball snapped against the Panthers. Still, the Browns are giving him reps with the third team during practice this week. 

While Cleveland might be defensive about calling what it's doing to Sanders "sabotage," it's hard to argue that it is setting Deion Sanders' son up for success with the Browns.

Given the Browns have a circus of six quarterbacks on their roster, they shouldn't be afforded the benefit of the doubt.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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