It appears Shedeur Sanders may not get a chance to start a game for the Cleveland Browns this season after all.
Sanders had hopes of being selected in the first round, but he fell to the fifth round when Cleveland took him. The rookie quarterback began the year as the third-string quarterback, but after Joe Flacco was traded, he became the backup.
However, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has made it clear that Dillon Gabriel is the starting quarterback. Along with that, Browns insider Zac Jackson of The Athletic doesn’t think Stefanski believes Sanders is ready.
“Shedeur Sanders has never been given any chance to play with the No. 1 offense, a clear sign that Stefanski thinks Sanders isn’t ready,” Jackson wrote. “Sanders was inactive for the New England game with a back issue that kept him out of Monday’s post-bye practice, and Stefanski has insisted that the team is sticking with Gabriel. Watson remains on the physically unable to perform list and might be cleared to return to practice later in the season, but there’s been no indication that Cleveland would play Watson even if he’s healthy.
“Who’s next? What’s next? What happens if Gabriel flops? We don’t have those answers, but they’re continually valid questions — and that, in a way, is an answer itself. Ultimately, any evaluation of Berry, Stefanski and the whole operation probably should come down to decisions made at the game’s most important position. Right now, those answers aren’t exactly positive.”
If Sanders doesn’t get the chance to start this season, perhaps the Browns will look to move him this offseason. But Jackson doesn’t think Stefanski believes Sanders is ready to play in the NFL right now.
Sanders Dealing With Back Injury
Sanders was inactive in Week 8 due to a back injury and was hopeful to return in Week 10 after the Browns’ bye week.
Although Sanders was inactive in Week 8, he said it wasn’t his decision and he thought he was healthy.
“I guarantee I’m going to be good,” Sanders said.
However, on Monday, Sanders missed practice due to a back injury, which Stefanski gave an update on.
“Yeah, still dealing with the back injury, but getting better,” Stefanski said about Sanders.
If Sanders isn’t active in Week 10, Bailey Zappe will be promoted from the practice squad and serve as the backup quarterback.
Browns Coach Sends Message to Team
Although Cleveland is off to a 2-6 start, Stefanski wants the team to keep playing hard.
Stefanski doesn’t think the Browns have played their best football this season, but he’s confident that will happen very soon.
“Yeah, obviously, keep a lot of that internal,” Stefanski said on Monday. “But it’s, as you know, it’s important that we focus on what’s in front of us. Have a great opportunity this week, going to New York, and trying to play our best football. We have not played our best football, and that’s haven’t done it, as players, as coaches, offense, defense, special teams. We feel like there’s more for us to give, and that’s where we’re focused on.”
Cleveland is a 2.5-point road favorite against the New York Jets on Sunday.
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