The Cleveland Browns gave rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders the start in their preseason opener last week against the Carolina Panthers.
After being picked in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft following a massive slide from being a projected first or second round pick, Sanders performed admirably in his debut. Not only did he play well, he had the city and NFL buzzing about him being a potential starter this season.
Unfortunately, Sanders has been hit with a concerning injury update on Wednesday.
According to a report from ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Sanders suffered an oblique injury while throwing during the early portion of practice. He was unable to participate in practice after the injury.
Schefter shared a brief report in a post on X.
"Browns QB Shedeur Sanders suffered an oblique injury while throwing during the early portion of practice today, and was held out for the rest of the session," Schefter wrote.
With both Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett already nursing injuries, Sanders' going down would be a major blow for both the team and player.
Sanders is getting an opportunity to receive key first-team reps. Being able to start in the first preseason game was a huge plus for his chances to play. He had also been penciled in to be the team's potential starter in their second preseason game.
Hopefully, this injury doesn't end up causing him to miss any time. At this time, there is no telling what exactly he's dealing with.
During his NFL debut against the Panthers, Sanders looked sharp. He completed 14 of his 23 pass attempts for 138 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. Sanders also ran for 19 yards on four attempts.
Those numbers show a glimpse at the full potential Sanders possesses. He made some insanely good throws in his debut. There is no question that he has the potential to be an NFL starter.
Expect to hear more updates about Sanders in the near future. For now, all fans will hold their breath to see if he's forced out of action.
If it's nothing serious, Sanders' status for the Browns' second preseason game on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday afternoon will be monitored closely.
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