Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders missed practice Thursday due to an oblique injury, making it unlikely he will play in the team’s upcoming preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sanders suffered the injury during drills before Wednesday’s practice. The Browns were in Philadelphia for joint practices ahead of Saturday’s preseason matchup.
The team described Sanders’ condition as day-to-day.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said before Thursday’s practice that Sanders would be out “for a little bit,” emphasizing the importance of protecting the young quarterback’s health, especially since Sanders is a passer.
“If you’re a right guard, you can kind of play through that,” Stefanski explained. “When it’s a quarterback, you kind of need that muscle to throw.”
Although Sanders hasn’t been completely ruled out for Saturday’s game, Stefanski noted that backup Joe Flacco will not see playing time. Instead, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley and Dillon Gabriel are expected to handle most of the snaps. Kenny Pickett remains limited due to a hamstring injury.
Sanders made his NFL preseason debut last Friday against Carolina, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and throwing two touchdown passes to Kaden Davis in the first half.
Selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, 144th overall, Sanders was a surprise pick given his high profile. Last season, he ranked eighth in Heisman Trophy voting while setting a Colorado school record with 4,134 passing yards.
“Injuries are frustrating for all these players,” Stefanski said. “They don’t want to miss any reps. But there are ways to keep preparing and improving even when you can’t take the reps because of injury.”
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