Copyright Newsweek
While everyone is still waiting for Shedeur Sanders to make his Cleveland Browns debut, the rookie quarterback was inactive for the Browns' last game against the New England Patriots in Week 8, as he was nursing a back injury. The Browns then had a Week 9 bye, and now, Sanders is apparently making progress ahead of Cleveland's upcoming matchup with the New York Jets. Read more: Packers’ Matt LaFleur Opens Up on Tucker Kraft Replacement But as with almost anything Sanders-related, his appearance on the injury report has not gone without controversy, as some have speculated that the Browns might be exaggerating his back issue. During a recent episode of the Orange and Brown Talk podcast, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com responded to the notion that the Browns could be bending the truth when it comes to Sanders' health situation. “I really don’t think that there is any gamesmanship going on with Shedeur Sanders’ back injury right now,” Cabot said. “The Browns are not foolish enough to make something like this up or fudge it in any way. If Shedeur Sanders is out with tightness in his back, then he has got tightness in his back. And he missed practice again today with that back injury, then that is what is going on there.” Cleveland selected Sanders in the fifth round of the NFL Draft last April, making him quite arguably the most significant fifth-round draft pick in league history. The 23-year-old — who is the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders — was expected by most to be a first-round selection, but instead slipped all the way to Day 3. Not only that, but the Browns also took fellow quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round, which has led to Cleveland prioritizing Gabriel over Sanders this season. Gabriel took over for Joe Flacco — who was subsequently traded — as the starter heading into Week 5. The University of Oregon product has made four rather unimpressive starts under center, which has led to many campaigning for Sanders to ultimately supplant him. Read more: Chiefs’ Trade Proposal Ships Out Explosive WR to Bolster Defense The Browns don't seem incredibly eager to roll Sanders out there just yet, but you have to figure that Cleveland will attempt to use Sanders at some point this season just to see what he has. Remember: the Browns own two 2026 first-round draft choices and could very well take another quarterback.
