Kenny Pickett Won't Play in Browns' Preseason Finale Amid Shedeur, Gabriel QB2 Battle

The Cleveland Browns have already chosen Joe Flacco to be their starting quarterback, but the backup quarterback battle is still ongoing between Kenny Pickett and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

Pickett, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury since July 26, will not play in Saturday's preseason finale at home against the Los Angeles Rams, per head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Pickett "continues to progress nicely," though, per Stefanski to reporters on Wednesday. As noted by Browns.com associate editor and staff writer Kelsey Russo, Pickett participated some in 11-on-11 drills on Tuesday for the first time since the injury.

All three signal-callers in the QB2 battle have been dealing with injuries in camp. Gabriel, a third-round pick out of Oregon, had hamstring tightness earlier this summer and missed the first preseason game. However, he is good to go and even started Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, completing 13-of-18 passes for 143 yards and an interception.

Sanders, who started the Browns' first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, did not play against the Eagles due to an oblique strain. Thankfully, he's back on the practice field and participated in drills on Wednesday.

The Browns' final preseason game will take place against the visiting Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. That could assuredly give the Browns some more insight on the QB2 battle. For now, there is no answer.

Thankfully, all three candidates are at least on the practice field right now as the search continues en route to the Browns' season opener on Sept. 7 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.