Shedeur Sanders remains one of the primary storylines at Cleveland Browns training camp, with each practice session drawing increased attention as he competes for the starting quarterback role.
However, a recent practice triggered fresh debate as physical play from the defense drew a strong reaction from Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe.
Browns beat reporter Daniel Oyefusi detailed notable moments from Cleveland’s Wednesday practice, which concluded with a two-minute drill with the offense trailing by two points.
Sanders guided the first-string offense into field-goal range, but a last-second spike before the offense set resulted in a pre-snap penalty and a game-ending 10-second runoff.
Shannon Sharpe Reacts to Browns Practice as Shedeur Sanders Takes a Hit
On the latest episode of the Nightcap podcast, Sharpe highlighted another report from Oyefusi, saying Todd Monken appeared frustrated by the defense’s physical approach.
A defensive lineman reportedly struck Sanders’ throwing arm, prompting coaches to pull the defender from the field.
Co-host and former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson emphasized Cleveland’s defensive strength, but Sharpe questioned the idea of making physical contact with QBs during practice.
“Do you think they’re as good as the 2000 Ravens?” Sharpe asked. “They never hit Trent Dilfer… They never hit Tony Banks’ arm. You can’t knock your own players out.
“This is your team. This is what you’re gonna have to go through battle with. And if you harm or hurt your own players, you fire them. But I get all of that. I believe you can be as physical as you need to be, but you can’t get your quarterback’s arm.”
Unc doesn’t understand…What good comes out of hitting your own QB in practice? “Uh ohh” and “my bad” doesn’t help 🤦🏾♂️@ShannonSharpe | @ochocinco | @TheJoeJohnson7 | #Nightcap https://t.co/sk0De1yzeJ pic.twitter.com/EfTxwnUkpJ
— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) August 20, 2026
Training camp often brings intense battles between the offense and defense as both units try to establish themselves, occasionally escalating beyond standard practice contact limits.
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A similar situation occurred earlier in August when Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby struck quarterback Kirk Cousins’ arm during team drills. Cousins confronted Crosby after the contact, grabbing his jersey before teammates separated the two.
This level of competitiveness can raise the intensity of practices, but it also increases the risk of unnecessary injuries, which is why Sharpe preached caution.
Meanwhile, Sanders addressed media members on Wednesday at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus, explaining his perspective on such stoppages at practice.
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“At that point, I’m just recapping my series of everything and playing everything back in my mind,” Sanders said via Cleveland.com. “Once coach says practice is over, it’s over.
“I’m not able to see the details of who’s taking care of what, because we’re thinking more about the operation and the grand scheme of things of what’s going on.”
Sanders now turns his attention to Saturday’s exhibition matchup against the Buffalo Bills, where he is scheduled to start. After posting the second-lowest PFN QB Impact grade (63.0) last season, he will aim to bounce back this time around.
