Injury news may have just opened the door for two Cleveland Browns rookies to gain more opportunity

With the former first-round pick potentially sidelined for a few practices, that opens up more reps for other quarterbacks — particularly the rookies.

Kenny Pickett’s injury should allow more reps for Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland’s two rookie quarterbacks should see increased snaps this week in Pickett’s absence. Pickett had been getting first-team reps early in camp, and those opportunities will now shift to Joe Flacco, Gabriel, and Sanders.

The Browns already know what they have in Flacco, and there may not be much benefit to giving him a heavy workload during these early practices. While Flacco could be the Week 1 starter and start several games this season, Cleveland will also be closely evaluating its rookies — and Pickett’s injury accelerates that opportunity even if it is small.

With both Deshaun Watson and now Pickett sidelined, expect Gabriel and Sanders to potentially get reps with the starters this week. Sanders, in particular, has shown growth by earning second-team reps recently — a step forward from OTAs.

The Browns hold two first-round picks in next year’s draft, and quarterback will be a top priority if neither rookie proves they’re the long-term answer. That evaluation process may begin sooner than expected, thanks to Pickett’s injury.