Former Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders saw his most significant action in Training Camp on Saturday, leading all Browns QBs with three touchdown passes on 8-of-11 passing. Now, following an injury to one of the veterans in the QB room, Sanders could see a significant uptick in his reps.
According to Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot, QB Kenny Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday's practice that will cause him to miss some time. How much time is unknown, but it's a major blow for Pickett in a four-way QB competition and opens the door for the other three signal-callers to make a move.
#Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett suffers a hamstring injury in camp on Saturday that will cause him to miss some time amid the four-way competition ---> https://t.co/qjirW0iQ1N
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 27, 2025
Pickett was the favorite to win the Browns' starting job. The former first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickett spent last season as Jalen Hurts' backup in Philadelphia before being traded to Cleveland following the season.
With Pickett sidelined, it opens the door for veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Sanders in a crowded QB room.
Shedeur Sanders should see increased reps in Browns QB competition
Browns fans had been disappointed during the first week of Training Camp with the amount of reps Sanders had received. That changed a bit on Saturday as he saw his most significant time on the practice field.
Despite that, it seemed like more of a long shot for Sanders to win the starting QB job. He was obviously behind Pickett, and most believed he was behind Gabriel, too. Flacco has long appeared to be the odd-man out; the Browns invested draft picks in Gabriel and Sanders, and traded for Pickett.
Even if Pickett only misses a week or two of practice time, that could lead directly into Cleveland's first preseason game on August 8th on the road against the Panthers. If Pickett misses that game, it should lead to more playing time for Sanders.
The former Colorado star could make a legitimate move in the QB competition with the extra practice time and live game reps in the preseason. Browns fans have been clamoring for Sanders to get a legitimate chance. Pickett's minor injury may have opened the door for him to make his move.