Shedeur Sanders Reportedly Could Play Browns' Preseason Finale amid Oblique Injury

The Cleveland Browns "are cautiously optimistic" that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will return to practice next week ahead of their NFL preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Sanders will miss Saturday's clash with the Philadelphia Eagles because of an oblique injury.

It's important the fifth-round draft pick gets back on the field soon because he's running out of time to impress Cleveland's coaching staff.

Sanders had an encouraging preseason debut, going 14-of-23 for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. That appears to have done little to disrupt the hierarchy within the team's quarterback room, though.

Joe Flacco is working out mostly with the first team and the signs are pointing toward him being the starter. Head coach Kevin Stefanski also gave the impression that, all things being equal, Dillon Gabriel would start ahead of Sanders on Saturday if both were healthy and available.

At this point, the trio of Sanders, Gabriel and Kenny Pickett are fighting for the backup job behind Flacco. Among that group, Sanders started at the bottom of the ladder because he's less experienced than Pickett and was taken two rounds after Gabriel.

The oblique injury is a setback he can ill afford to have.

Assuming he plays, Gabriel could give Sanders a bit of a boost if he performs badly against the Eagles.

Absent that, the Rams matchup could be a pivotal moment that helps to finalize the depth chart. If Sanders is sidelined altogether, that won't bode well.