Kristina Roberts
The first week of NFL preseason has just wrapped up, and fans already have plenty to talk about. Excitement was building for Cleveland Browns’ young quarterback Shedeur Sanders after his strong performance in the preseason opener. However, the mood took a sudden turn when Sanders suffered an injury during practice on Wednesday.
The injury, described as an oblique issue by the Browns, happened early in the day during a joint practice session with the Philadelphia Eagles. According to team reporters, Sanders’ condition is being monitored on a “day-to-day” basis. This means that the team will check on him daily to see if he’s improving. Unfortunately for fans hoping to see him in action again soon, it’s now considered “unlikely” that he will play in the Browns’ second preseason game this Saturday against the Eagles.
Cleveland television station WKYC captured a short video from Wednesday’s practice that showed Sanders looking visibly uncomfortable. In the clip, you can see him moving carefully, not his usual confident self.
“The #Browns are calling Shedeur Sanders’ injury an oblique. Our cameras at today’s joint practice in Philadelphia gathered this footage of Sanders. Clearly looks a little uncomfortable.”
This was posted by WKYC sports reporter Nick Camino, and it quickly spread among fans and sports analysts who were eager for updates.
The injury is especially frustrating because Sanders had made such a promising start. In the Browns’ first preseason game, he had shown poise and skill, making smart throws and reading the field well. That performance had sparked conversations about whether he could take on a larger role in the team’s offense sooner than expected. But in football, as in many sports, even a small injury can change the pace of progress.
For Sanders, the timing of the injury is a setback, but it’s not the end of the road. An oblique injury, which affects the muscles on the side of the abdomen, can be tricky for quarterbacks. These muscles are used in almost every throwing motion, so even a minor strain can make passing uncomfortable or even risky. Playing too soon could make the injury worse, which is why the Browns are likely to be careful about bringing him back too early.
Sanders’ absence from Saturday’s game will give the coaching staff more time to evaluate the other quarterbacks on the roster. For Joe Flacco, it’s a chance to continue showing his reliability and leadership. For Dillon Gabriel, it could be an important opportunity to prove that he can handle NFL-level pressure as a rookie. And for Tyler Huntley, it’s another shot at securing a more solid role on the team.
The Browns’ preseason so far has been a mix of hope and challenge. The debut week brought exciting moments, but injuries — even minor ones — are part of the reality every team faces in August. Coaches often use this time to balance two goals: getting players ready for the regular season and keeping them healthy enough to compete when the games truly count.
Fans who were eager to see Sanders again will now have to wait, but the team’s cautious approach makes sense. It’s better to have him at full strength for the regular season rather than risk making the injury worse in a preseason game. The NFL season is long, and young quarterbacks like Sanders need to think about their long-term development as much as their short-term opportunities.
For Sanders himself, this may be a small test of patience. Every young player wants to be on the field, proving themselves and building momentum. Sitting out, even for just a game or two, can be frustrating. But in professional sports, knowing when to rest is as important as knowing when to push forward.
While fans wait for his return, they will get to see more from the rest of the Browns’ quarterback group. Flacco’s veteran presence could help steady the offense in Sanders’ absence. Gabriel’s performance will be closely watched, as rookie quarterbacks often face steep learning curves. Huntley, with his mobility and experience, might also bring a different style of play to the mix.
Saturday’s game against the Eagles will still be a valuable test for the Browns, even without Sanders on the field. The preseason is as much about evaluating depth and flexibility as it is about winning. How the team adjusts to changes like this injury can tell coaches a lot about their readiness for the real season.
For now, all eyes remain on Sanders’ recovery. The “day-to-day” label offers some hope that the injury is not serious. But until he’s back in pads and taking snaps, both fans and the team will be watching closely. The Browns’ next updates on his condition will likely come after Saturday’s game, giving everyone a better idea of when they might see him play again.
