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Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Suffers Double Loss on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 5:59 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders was considered one of the favorites to be a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but ultimately slipped to the fifth round, where he was selected by the Cleveland Browns. The former Colorado quarterback began his rookie season on the bench, with Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel ahead of him on the depth chart, before Sanders was finally handed the keys to the offense midway through the 2025 season.

Sanders started Cleveland’s final seven games of 2025, posting a 3-4 record in those contests and helping the Browns finish 5-12 on the season. When given the opportunity, Sanders delivered, completing 120-of-212 passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. However, heading into the 2026 NFL season, Sanders will be without two offensive linemen.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12).Peter Casey-Imagn Imag

Cornelius Lucas, following an All-Big 12 career at Kansas State, went undrafted in 2014 before signing with the Detroit Lions. After three seasons in Detroit, the offensive tackle bounced around the league for several years before landing with the Washington Commanders in 2020, where he spent the next five seasons and even started for a spell.

But after his one-year deal with Washington expired following the 2024 season, Lucas opted for another change, signing a two-year contract with the Browns. And in 2025, Lucas spent most of the season backing up starting right tackle Jack Conklin.

But on Tuesday, despite having a year remaining on his contract, the Browns elected to terminate Lucas’ deal after just one season. Cleveland also waived center Justin Osborne, who missed all of 2025 with a back injury, leaving Sanders without key depth on the offensive line.

"we have released T Cornelius Lucas and C Justin Osborne," the Browns wrote on X.

we have released T Cornelius Lucas and C Justin Osborne

: https://t.co/QfCfR5OntM pic.twitter.com/vl653JRkTi
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) March 3, 2026