Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been dealing with discomfort over the last couple of weeks. While the rookie hasn’t seen any regular-season action so far, his situation draws attention to the Browns’ quarterback room overall, with many wondering who’ll play behind starting rookie Dillon Gabriel.
However, an update surfaced on Thursday, providing clarity around the latest situation on Cleveland’s roster.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Doesn’t Look To Be in ‘Any Pain’ in Practice
Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot gave an update on Sanders’s back issues during a call on “92.3 The Fan” on Thursday. She elaborated on what she observed in practice when asked about the significance of the rookie quarterback’s injury.
“I watched him throw the ball yesterday and move through practice in the early part when we’re allowed out there,” she said. “He was upbeat, he was dancing between reps like he always does. He brings sort of a light vibe to practice all the time. And he looked like himself to me. He didn’t look to be in any pain. And they’re just taking it slow with him to get him to Sunday, which is what they would like to do.”
“(Shedeur) looked like himself, didn’t look to be in any pain. In a perfect world they want him to be QB2 on Sunday. I wouldn’t rush it, if he has any discomfort I’d keep Bailey Zappe as QB2.”
📞@MaryKayCabot with an update on Shedeur Sanders back injury⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Rkau1pv3Km
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) November 6, 2025
Cabot also commented on the Browns’ backup quarterback situation as it relates to Sanders and the experienced Bailey Zappe.
“In a perfect world, they want [Sanders] to be QB2 on Sunday, and they’re moving towards that. So, I think that’s the plan, and my guess is that’s what will happen, but I also wouldn’t rush it. If he has any back discomfort whatsoever, I would go ahead and keep Bailey [Zappe] as the No. 2 right now.”
She reiterated that there’s no need to rush Sanders’s recovery and outlined a situation in which it might be better to play Zappe over the rookie from Colorado.
“There’s no rush to have Shedeur be the No. 2. I actually think, in terms of someone coming off the bench and getting thrown into a game cold, that Bailey might be best-suited for that role, just because he’s done it so many times before. And when you see Shedeur play, you want him to be in ideal conditions with a game plan designed for him.”
We could still see a lot of movement in the Browns’ quarterback room this year. Gabriel isn’t winning consistently and has only thrown for over 200 yards once across four starts.
The Browns will likely miss the postseason this year, so expect head coach Kevin Stefanski to spend the rest of the season partly evaluating the potential in his quarterback room.
