Browns QB Kenny Pickett Gets Concerning Update

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett may be out longer than expected as he continues to rebound from a hamstring injury.

Pickett suffered a hamstring injury on July 26. It sidelined him for a few practices but he returned recently in a limited capacity. It could be a while before Pickett is fully back in action, per Browns legend Joe Thomas.

Thomas said on the broadcast of Friday’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers that he expects Pickett to be limited for a few more weeks.

“I think Pickett might be on the shelf here for a couple more weeks. So the question really is if Dillon Gabriel is ready to take team reps,” Thomas said. “We don’t know because all he did this past week were 7-on-7 reps. He’s not able to take off and explode with that hamstring.”

Thomas is in-the-know when it comes to the Browns. However, he was on live TV and it may be more of his opinion than a firm report. That being said, Pickett being limited for an extended period of time moving forward would basically knock him out of the conversation to win the starting job in Week 1.

Kenny Pickett Determined to Win Starting Job With Browns

The Browns have not given much of an update on Pickett’s situation. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said the hope is that Pickett and Gabriel — who is dealing with a hamstring injury of his own — will be ready to face the Philadelphia Eagles next week. The Browns will have a joint practice with the Eagles before facing them on August 16.

Pickett recently spoke to the media and expressed his frustration with the timing of the injury.

“I’m trying to get back out there, you know, as fast as possible. I’ve never had, you know, a soft tissue injury like this, so really a first-time experience in my career,” Pickett said August 2. “I felt like I came in great shape, was hitting numbers speed wise that I’ve never hit before. So, it’s frustrating that it happened but you know, turn the page and just trying to be, you know, as good as I can be when I do return.”

The Browns traded for Pickett in March, bringing him over from the Eagles. The former first-round pick is eager to get his career back on track after spending last season backing up Jalen Hurts. He might have to wait a bit to get his shot in Cleveland. As it stands, 40-year-old Joe Flacco is on track to be the Week 1 starter.

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders in Line for ‘a Ton’ of Reps

With Pickett, Gabriel and Flacco in street clothes for Friday’s game, Shedeur Sanders got a chance to shine. The rookie fifth round pick capitalized on his opportunty, passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas was impressed with Sanders.

“What Shedeur Sanders has done tonight has proven he should have more opportunities in practice. I think he will get those opportunities when things are a little more difficult,” Thomas said on the broadcast. “I’d love to see him out there taking some reps with the ones, going against a really good [Eagles] unit.”

Sanders has yet to receive reps with the starting offense and the Browns rested a majority of their key players against the Panthers. But it sounds like more work will be coming Sanders’ way soon.

“The situations were invaluable for Shedeur,” Stefanski said after Sanders helped lead the Browns to a 30-10 win against the Panthers. “For all of our offense. We got a third and one where he had a quarterback sneak. I mean, there’s just a lot of football and that’s by design with him getting a ton of reps in this game and he’ll get a ton of reps next week as well. That’s all part of our development of our young players.”

Recently signed veteran Tyler Huntley was the other quarterback to see time against the Panthers. He completed 6-of-8 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.