CLEVELAND, OH – August 8, 2024 – Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are sidelined with hamstring injuries and will not participate in friday’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. The team announced today that both signal-callers will be limited to 7-on-7 drills during the upcoming joint practice sessions with the Panthers at Belk Training Camp in Spartanburg,South Carolina.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized a cautious approach to Gabriel’s recovery,stating,”just being very careful with (Gabriel). Don’t want to expose him to an unnecessary strain.” Both Pickett, acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 15, 2024, and Gabriel, signed as a free agent on April 1, 2024, are competing for the backup quarterback position behind starter Deshaun Watson.
To address the temporary shortage at quarterback, the Browns signed Tyler Huntley on August 5, 2024. Huntley, previously with the Baltimore Ravens (2022-2023), will focus on quickly learning the Browns’ offensive system over the next two days to be prepared for potential playing time in the preseason opener. Stefanski noted Huntley’s adaptability,saying,”We’ll get Snoop back up to speed quickly. He’s doing a great job at working at it…Snoop is obviously a great kid, we love having him around. So, we’re just catching him up.But there is enough similarity where he can pick it up.”
With Pickett and Gabriel limited, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will see increased opportunities during the joint practices and preseason games.Stefanski clarified that Sanders will not recieve extra reps during practice itself, but will gain experience in the preseason game. Sanders, the 83rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has been actively preparing for this role throughout training camp.
Sanders has rotated thru various offensive and defensive lineups during team drills, working with multiple receivers and offensive linemen, including center Luke Wypler and guards Joel Bitonio and Michael Dunn. He has also utilized the “Hungry Dawgs” period – extra practice time following regular sessions – to refine his skills. Stefanski stated his expectations for Sanders are consistent with the rest of the quarterbacks: “My expectations for Shedeur are not different than the rest of the guys, honestly…we expect him to go operate. When you get into these preseason games, you try and keep it very simple so guys can play fast. All concepts that our players know and not think too much and just play ball.”
