Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders did not win the starting job, but he will remain on the team in a new role.
During Thursday’s press conference, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Sanders would be the emergency quarterback behind starter Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. This means Sanders will dress for games but would not be allowed to enter unless Flacco and Gabriel were injured.
The move is important, especially with the Browns signing quarterback Bailey Zappe to their practice squad Wednesday. Zappe has appeared in 17 games in the three seasons, including one for the Browns last season.
A fifth-round pick who was projected to go in the first or second round of this year’s draft, Sanders fought for the starting quarterback job with Flacco, Gabriel and Kenny Pickett. However, Sanders spent most of the time with the fourth-team offense before Pickett injured his hamstring.
Sanders started the first preseason game for the Browns against the Carolina Panthers, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He was expected to see considerable playing time in the second preseason game against the Eagles, but an oblique injury during a joint practice sidelined him for the game. In the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, Sanders entered the game in the third quarter and played with third-string players, completing three of his six passing attempts for 14 yards before giving way to Tyler “Snoop” Huntley in the fourth quarter.
The Browns initially said they would keep four quarterbacks on their active roster, meaning there was a chance that Sanders would not play at all. Instead, the Browns opted to trade Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders, opening the door for Sanders to be in uniform for the team’s season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.
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