Kenny Pickett can’t catch a break. The former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick faces his biggest challenge yet with the Cleveland Browns as a hamstring injury threatens to derail his shot at redemption. While he sits on the sideline watching rookies take his reps, the clock ticks on what might be his last chance to prove he belongs as an NFL starter.
How Is Kenny Pickett’s Hamstring Injury Affecting His Competition for the Starting Job?
Pickett has been sidelined since July 26 when he injured his hamstring, missing the Browns’ first preseason game and struggling to participate fully in practice. That absence has created an unexpected opportunity for rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, who have stepped up to fill the void left by the veteran quarterback.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Pickett’s aspirations. Sanders will start for the Browns in their preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, giving the rookie valuable experience with the first-team offense. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Joe Flacco has been taking most of the first-team reps during Pickett’s absence, further complicating the competition.
Pickett’s frustrations are hard to hide as he watches from the sideline. He wants to get back on the field sooner rather than later, but the team’s medical staff handles him cautiously and keeps him from pushing himself too hard.
“It’s coming along,” said Pickett. “Just trying to take it a day at a time. You know, frustrated not being able to be out there competing, but trying to do my best to listen to what the doctors and trainers are saying and trust everything in the process.”
Despite the setback, he remains confident he can win the starting quarterback job. However, Pickett knows he needs to be on the field if he has a shot, and he won’t have that opportunity until he’s healed enough to practice and play. It’s a frustrating situation that puts his comeback hopes in jeopardy.
What Makes This Hamstring Injury So Problematic for Pickett’s Timeline?
Soft tissue injuries are one of the most prevalent sports injuries in professional sports. The tricky part about hamstring strains is their unpredictable recovery timeline. Mild strains can heal in a week or two, but the more severe they are, the longer they take to recover and rehab. Push too hard too soon, and an athlete risks aggravating the injury and extending the absence even further.
For Pickett, this represents uncharted territory in his professional career. The injury has been particularly frustrating because of his excellent physical condition heading into training camp.
“Yeah, 100 percent it is,” he told media on Saturday. “I’ve never had a soft-tissue injury like this, so really a first-time experience in my career. I felt like I came in in great shape, was hitting numbers speed-wise that I’ve never hit before.”
“So it’s frustrating that it happened. But turn the page and just trying to be as good as I can be when I do return.”
Browns QB Kenny Pickett says he’s determined as ever to win starting job despite hamstring injury. pic.twitter.com/TfTxhE0E6v
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) August 2, 2025
The reality of his situation isn’t lost on Pickett. Every day he spends in the training room instead of on the practice field potentially damages his chances of winning the starting job.
“If you’re not out there, I think it’s a setback,” Pickett said. “You know, you have to be out there playing and competing to win a job. And I fully understand that. That’s why I’m pushing to get back, you know, as fast as possible.”
When Pickett was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, the move sparked hope for a career resurgence similar to what Sam Darnold experienced with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024-25. However, that narrative took a hit when the Browns drafted Gabriel and Sanders, adding even more competition to the quarterback room. The hamstring injury has dealt another significant blow to those comeback aspirations.
Now, Pickett faces a race against time. He must rehab, recover, and patiently wait for his chance to return to the field before the starting job is decided. With each passing practice and preseason game, the window for proving himself grows smaller. All he can do is trust the process and hope his body heals quickly enough to give him a fighting chance at what could be his final opportunity to establish himself as a starting NFL quarterback.
