Browns Rookie Shedeur Sanders Returns To Practice After Oblique Injury, Kenny Pickett Won't Play In Final Preseason Game

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders didn't miss much time with his oblique injury. The Browns' rookie returned to action Wednesday.

Sanders took part in 11-on-11 drills, a significant step forward for the rookie.

While Sanders did not practice Tuesday, he was able to throw, opening the door for his return Wednesday. 

Sanders sustained the injury during an Aug. 13 practice and was limited for nearly a full week. He was unable to play in the team's second preseason game due to the issue. 

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The news came as a disappointment for Browns fans, who saw Sanders throw for 103 yards and two touchdowns in a surprise preseason start. That performance may have earned Sanders more work in practice and preseason games, but the oblique injury put an end to his momentum. 

A lot changed in the quarterback room while Sanders was limited by the injury. The Browns named veteran Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback to open the 2025 NFL season. Former first-rounder Kenny Pickett, whom the Browns acquired in an offseason trade, returned to practice Tuesday after missing time due to a hamstring injury. 

Pickett, however, did not participate in practice Wednesday. It was a planned absence, as Pickett will not play in the team's final preseason game. 

The Browns have some tough decisions to make ahead of roster cut-down day. The team entered camp with four quarterbacks trying to earn spots on the team: Flacco, Pickett, Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. 

Flacco is a lock to make the final roster after winning the starting job. Pickett could also be safe if the team is willing to hold him out of its final preseason game. 

That could leave either Gabriel or Sanders as the odd man out. Making a decision on either player could prove tough, as both have missed time this preseason. Sanders dazzled in his debut before missing the team's second game with his injury. Gabriel — who was drafted two rounds ahead of Sanders — missed the team's first preseason game with a hamstring injury before turning in an average performance in the Browns' second preseason game. 

The team could opt to keep all four players, something general manager Andrew Berry said was possible, though that reality could get more difficult once those decisions have to be made. 

Assuming Sanders continues to progress well following his oblique injury, he and Gabriel should both put more reps on tape during the Browns' final preseason game Saturday. 

At that point, the Browns' brass will have just a few days to determine which players will make the final 53-man roster ahead of Tuesday's cut-down day.