While QB Joe Flacco will start the third preseason game against the Rams on Aug. 23, the Browns will also play QB Dillon Gabriel and QB Shedeur Sanders. Gabriel will serve as the backup quarterback, while Sanders will see time following Gabriel.
Gabriel returned from a hamstring injury to start against the Eagles in the second week of the preseason and continued to take reps in practice throughout the final week of the preseason. Sanders has been working back from an oblique strain, which he suffered on Aug. 13 and kept him out of the second preseason game. Sanders also did not practice on Aug. 19 but returned in a limited capacity the next day. Over the course of the week, Stefanski said Sanders continued to participate more, and evaluated how he came out of each day.
"He's feeling better and better, so barring any setback if he comes in not feeling good tomorrow, which I don't anticipate, he would play on Saturday," Stefanski said of Sanders.
However, QB Kenny Pickett, who continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained on July 26, will not play in the preseason finale. Pickett has missed all three preseason games due to the injury.
LB Nathaniel Watson was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 21 with a bicep injury. Stefanski said Watson sustained the injury during Wednesday's practice.
"Very hard on a personal level for when you lose a guy due to injury," Stefanski said. "Now, he will bounce back, he'll rehab, he'll be back. But you just hate it for where they put themselves in position with all the hard work that they put in the offseason. He's a guy that was here every day, so that's where it's very disappointing."
The Browns also had a handful of players who did not participate in the final practice of the week ahead of the preseason finale. CB Denzel Ward, who sustained a shoulder injury on Aug. 19 and is considered day to day, did not practice. WR Cedric Tillman also did not participate on Thursday for the second consecutive practice, as Stefanski said Tillman is working through a thumb injury. Stefanski said the injury is not long term. LB Winston Reid continued to not practice with a back injury. OT Cornelius Lucas, who suffered an ankle injury in the second preseason game against the Eagles, did not participate in practice throughout the week.
