Following their first preseason game, there weren’t a ton of conclusions to draw for Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. With three quarterbacks sitting out, Shedeur Sanders delivered an impressive performance, but it came against backups. Stefanski still needs to see those three QBs in action, but it’s becoming difficult due to injuries. And it’s only getting worse.
Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel have been hampered by hamstring injuries, and Sanders went down with an oblique injury this week. Theoretically, that should lead to Joe Flacco starting every possible preseason game, but Stefanski doesn’t feel he needs the reps. In a way, that move is tipping Stefanski’s hand: he sees Flacco as the team’s starting quarterback heading into Week 1.
Everything is aligning for Joe Flacco to be Browns’ Week 1 starter
Early in camp, it seemed like Pickett had the lead. But his injury has caused him to lose momentum. In the meantime, Gabriel hasn’t been able to gain ground due to his injury. Now, Sanders can’t carry on his momentum from his debut either.
Gabriel has a chance to make up some ground this weekend, as he should be back from injury and start the team’s second preseason game. As for Flacco? He’s going to be held out once again. It’s clear the coaching staff wants to keep him on ice for Week 1.
The stars are aligning for Flacco to be the team’s starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. How long that lasts is a completely different story, though.
Read the full article here
