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Shedeur Sanders has officially earned a promotion.
The rookie will back up Dillon Gabriel and be listed as the Browns’ No. 2 quarterback on Sunday for a road game against the Steelers, head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Friday.
Stefanski opted against naming Sanders the backup as questions arose over whether practice squad QB Bailey Zappe would be elevated to the position after veteran Joe Flacco was traded to the Bengals on Tuesday.
“Shedeur will be the backup,” Stefanski told reporters. “I’m always thinking about our players and what’s best for our players. And I want to make sure when it comes to young football players, particularly at the quarterback position, that you are intentional about your decision-making, and that’s really all it is. So, excited for all our guys.”
It’ll be a learning experience for Sanders, who began training camp as the No. 4 QB on the depth chart.
“I think the big thing there is all of us play our role throughout the week and on Sunday,” Stefanski said. “And obviously that backup quarterback role is a little bit different. We’re doing everything we can to support the starter, and then you have to be ready in a moment’s notice. That’s just the life of backup players at every position. And we’ve said that here, over the years, that you have to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. But again, that’s our job as coaches, as players, to be ready when called upon.”
Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, had to battle through limited reps and a crowded quarterback room during the summer, but he made it to the 53-man roster while Kenny Pickett was traded to the Raiders and the Browns decided to release Tyler Huntley.
Flacco started the first four games for the Browns, going 1-3, before the veteran was benched for Gabriel, who will make his second start on Sunday.
On Thursday, Sanders said he is “ready to play” and would be happy to take on any role that the team needs following Flacco’s trade.
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“We’re going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure Dillon’s ready for the game,” he said. “Whatever that means. Each and every day, even when Joe was the starter, preparing the right way and be ready to know that you could get out there at any point in time. I’m overly confident within myself. I know when I first got here, I’m ready to play, but it’s up to the coaches and whatever decision they make then, I’m fine with.”
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