Shedeur Sanders Confirmed as Browns' Starting QB for NFL Preseason Opener vs. Panthers

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Shedeur Sanders will start at quarterback for Friday's preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported Tuesday the fifth-round draft pick was expected to get the nod with Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel both battling hamstring injuries.

Given the injuries, Stefanski had a straightforward choice. There's little need to start 40-year-old Joe Flacco in the first preseason game, while the signing of Tyler Huntley was only finalized Tuesday.

Sanders hasn't gotten a lot of reps in training camp, much to the consternation of those who believe he possesses the talent and potential to be QB1 in the NFL. The coaching staff has sent a pretty clear message as to where he fits into the quarterback room when everyone is healthy.

The former Colorado standout is fourth on the unofficial depth chart behind Flacco, Pickett and Gabriel.

Friday night will be Sanders' chance to show his coaches' assessment is off-base. One strong preseason showing won't be enough to move him all the way ahead of Flacco, but it would at least set him up well for Cleveland's next two contests.

Conversely, the rookie will only reinforce the concerns about the game if he doesn't look sharp against Carolina. The perceived gap between he and the pair of Pickett and Gabriel may widen.

With so much to prove, the stakes are relatively high for Sanders when he takes the field at Bank of America Stadium.