Rookie QB Sanders Trails Browns Depth Chart Amid Camp Struggles

Shedeur Sanders, rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, is facing a challenging start to his NFL career, struggling to earn meaningful reps during training camp and often throwing passes to equipment staff instead of active wide receivers. Despite a rough beginning, including a Day 1 with limited completions and no touchdowns, Sanders has shown improvement in subsequent sessions, completing more passes and throwing touchdowns, though he remains behind veterans Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookie Dillon Gabriel on the depth chart. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has emphasized that the quarterback competition is ongoing and that training camp is still in early stages, with full-contact practices yet to begin. Sanders himself has expressed a focus on mental preparation and maximizing limited opportunities, understanding the need to improve even without extensive reps. The Browns' wide receiver room is currently thinned out due to various issues, affecting the availability of quality passing options for Sanders during practice. Meanwhile, linebacker Drew Sanders of the Denver Broncos was carted off practice after an injury to his right foot and ankle, though it was confirmed not to be a recurrence of his previous Achilles tendon injury.