CHARLOTTE – The Browns will see their first game action on Friday night against the Panthers, kicking off the preseason at Bank of America Stadium.
With a handful of starters set to not play for Cleveland, head coach Kevin Stefanski and his coaching staff will use the game as an opportunity to give younger players reps in a live game. The Panthers will begin the game with their starters, but head coach Dave Canales plans to only play their starters for up to the first two drives of the game.
As the Browns look to kick off the preseason against the Panthers, here are three keys Friday's game.
Establish a foundation for QB Shedeur Sanders
The Browns are starting one of their two rookies in the first preseason game, with QB Shedeur Sanders earning the first start as QB Dillon Gabriel recovers from a hamstring injury. Stefanski said that Sanders knew he would see game action during the preseason and will have the opportunity to showcase what he has learned in training camp out on the field.
"When you get these preseason games, you try to keep it very simple so guys can play fast," Stefanski said. "All concepts that our players know can kind of not think too much and just play ball."
With the Browns in the midst of a quarterback competition, the game reps for Sanders will be important for evaluation of how he handles facing an NFL defense and manages the offense.
Pressure QB Bryce Young and the Panthers' quarterbacks
QB Bryce Young is entering his third NFL season and has established himself at the helm of the Panthers' offense. Young threw for 2,404 yards and 15 touchdowns during the 2024 season and took only 29 sacks. While Young won't play the entire game on Friday, how the Browns' defense applies pressure early in the game will give them necessary reps against another young NFL quarterback.
"The playmaking and game changing ability hasn't changed," DE Myles Garrett said. "I think it's just him finding his own confidence, being comfortable in the role and then allowing him to lead and standing behind him. I think that was big for him. He's only going to continue to settle in and become a bigger and bigger playmaker."
With some of the Browns' starters also not playing, who exactly takes the field for the defensive line and front seven is still to be seen. However, any combination of their young players or new additions to the roster – such as DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger, DE Isaiah McGuire, DE Sam Kamara or DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – will get crucial game reps to their players and help build out roles over the course of the preseason. The game experience in seeing another offense and utilizing their attack-style defense to rush the passer and create takeaways will prove beneficial for their younger players.
Check out the top shots from Day 11 of 2025 Browns Training Camp as players got to work with drills, workouts and team prep in Charlotte
Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) and Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) and former Browns center Austin Corbett (63) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) and Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Linebackers Coach Jason Tarver during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Running back Toa Taua (35) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) and Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Tony Brown II (11) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Assistant Special Teams Coach Kyle Hoke during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Keenan Isaac (38) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Former Browns center Austin Corbett (63), Running back Toa Taua (35) and Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Assistant Defensive Line Coach Adam Morris during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Tony Brown II (11) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Former Browns center Austin Corbett, Running back Toa Taua (35) and Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (47) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive tackle Ralph Holley (63) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Assistant Athletic Trainer Maikee Migallos and Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Senior Director of Player Development James Cook and Panthers outside linebacker Mapalo Mwansa (58) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Tony Brown II (11) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Keenan Isaac (38) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson (16) and Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (16) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cleats during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive Assistant Zach Dunn during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (71) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) and Carolina Panthers outside linebacker J.J. Weaver (47) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and Joe Thomas during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) and Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (15) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson (16) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jackson Barton (68) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) and tight end David Njoku (85) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Cornerback Tony Brown II (11) and Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach Chad O'Shea during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Running back Toa Taua (35) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive end Julian Okwara (53) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) and Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50), Long snapper Brent Matiscik (48), Carolina Panthers long snapper JJ Jansen (44) and Carolina Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (37) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (37) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley (7) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley (7) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley (7) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley (7) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Defensive end K.J. Henry (52) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Safety Donovan McMillon (31) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (71) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Offensive guard Javion Cohen (67) and Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (47) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Center Bucky Williams (62) during joint practices with the Carolina Panthers on Day 11 of Training Camp in Charlotte on August 6, 2025.
Protect the quarterback and establish the run game
Whether it's Sanders or QB Tyler Huntley under center, the offensive line will need to protect their quarterback to allow plays to develop in the passing game and keep him from being sacked. They also need to help create gaps for their running backs to help establish the run game.
In 2024, the Panthers recorded just 32 sacks, which ranked 29th in the league. While they struggled to rush the passer last season, the Browns' offensive line struggled in their own areas. One of those areas was run blocking, as the Browns averaged just 94.6 rushing yards per game, ranking 29th in the league. They also struggled in their pass protection, which played a role in their ability to put points on the board as an offense.
The Browns' offensive line dealt with numerous injuries during the 2024 season, leading to seven different combinations in the first eight weeks of the season. Now with a healthy offensive line – and Dawand Jones moving over to left tackle – the Browns can not only protect their quarterback but also help improve the run game by creating gaps for the running backs to break through.
