Sanders makes Browns roster, to open as QB3

BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns have reduced their overcrowded quarterback lineup and designated a backup.

Following the trade of Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders and the release of Tyler Huntley, the Browns will head into the regular season with three quarterbacks — starter Joe Flacco along with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.

Deshaun Watson has been placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. He will be sidelined for the first four games of the season as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury, which the team anticipates will keep him out for a significant portion of the season.

Cleveland appeared ready to retain all four quarterbacks competing for the starting position until they traded Pickett on Monday for a 2026 fifth-round draft selection.

Sanders, a fifth-round draft choice in 2025 who spent all of training camp as the fourth quarterback on the roster, is expected to become the team’s third-string QB.