Report: Shedeur Sanders to start first Cleveland Browns preseason game

Shedeur Sanders is set to start the Cleveland Browns’ first preseason game this week, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are both dealing with injuries ahead of the matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

The Browns have four quarterbacks vying for the starting job this year as Deshaun Watson deals with an injury. Joe Flacco is also part of the group and was listed as the No. 1 quarterback on Cleveland’s first depth chart earlier this week. Sanders was QB4.

But due to injuries to Pickett and Gabriel, Sanders is now expected to get the start in the preseason opener. Flacco, 40, is not expected to play in the first of three preseason games.

Sanders was also part of the group of injuries late last week, sitting out throwing drills at one point due to arm soreness. He was later back to full strength by Monday and is now expected to throw with the first team offense on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s preseason matchup at Carolina.

What Shedeur Sanders brings to the Browns

Sanders is looking to make an impression on the Browns after the franchise selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Cleveland completely overhauled the quarterback room this year, signing Flacco and trading for Pickett before drafting two rookies in Gabriel and Sanders.

Sanders is coming off an impressive senior season at Colorado in 2024 as he helped lead the Buffaloes’ turnaround. He led the nation with a 74% completion percentage as he totaled 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns.

That led Sanders to become one of the highest-rated prospects in the NFL Draft. However, his slide down the board became the biggest storyline of the weekend before Cleveland ultimately selected him in the fifth round. That came after the Browns took Gabriel, giving the franchise two rookie quarterbacks.

When asked about the decision to select Shedeur Sanders, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told reporters that came from general manager Andrew Berry. He said draft moves are the GM’s call.

“Listen, we have good process,” Haslam said during his annual training camp address. “If you just told me Friday night driving home, y’all are going to pick Shedeur, I would say, ‘That’s not happening.’

“But we had a conversation early that morning and then we had a conversation later that day. I think we had the right people involved in the conversation at the end of the day. That’s (Browns general manager) Andrew Berry’s call. Andrew made the call to pick Shedeur, just like who’s going to start or what play we’re going to call is Kevin (Stefanski’s) call. But that’s Andrew’s call. He made the call.”