Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to play in Saturday’s preseason finale at home against the Los Angeles Rams, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Sanders, who was recently sidelined with an oblique strain, returned to team drills on Wednesday and practiced again on Thursday.
Stefanski announced that Sanders would take the field if there are no setbacks. The Browns plan for their starters, including newly named starting quarterback Joe Flacco, to play between 20 to 25 snaps. Rookie Dillon Gabriel will serve as backup while Sanders is slated as the third quarterback. Wide receiver Isaiah Bond, signed earlier in the week, will also participate following his first week of practice. Quarterback Kenny Pickett, who returned to team drills Wednesday, will not play because of a lingering hamstring injury.
Sanders addressed questions regarding his recent absence due to injury by saying: “Everything’s good.”
Amid speculation about comments made by Gabriel during a recent CBS Sports broadcast—remarks interpreted by some as referencing Sanders—Sanders clarified that Gabriel later explained his statement was not directed at him. During the broadcast, Gabriel stated: “Yeah, it’s just part of it. You know, there’s entertainers and there’s competitors, and I totally understand that. But my job is to compete. And that’s what I’m focused on doing.” The phrase “entertainers” was seen online as a possible nod toward Sanders; however, Gabriel said after the game that he had been referring only to media coverage.
Sanders commented on this exchange: “Honestly, I don’t even think about nothing. I don’t think about anything (…) If it’s not words or anything at this point, it can’t do anything to me. I know that God put the ability and the power within me to not even think about nobody else’s comments, not care. It is what it is. I spoke with him. He told me on the plane. He came up, he was like, ‘Nah bro, that wasn’t at you.’ … I’m not tripping, regardless of whatever it was. Nobody’s words or anything affects me.” When asked if he believed Gabriel’s explanation, Sanders added: “Do I feel like he did? I don’t know. And that’s not on me to sit here and be like, ‘Oh, he did; he didn’t.’ That’s not going to change my life in any way.”
Sanders has become a notable figure this preseason given both expectations surrounding his NFL Draft position and his high-profile background as the son of Colorado coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Deion Sanders.
