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The Browns' quarterback competition just got even more interesting.
Kenny Pickett suffered a hamstring injury at the end of practice on Saturday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The veteran signal-caller is expected to be evaluated later this week.
Pickett was acquired by Cleveland in a trade with the Eagles in March, with quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft going to Philadelphia. The Browns also signed Joe Flacco and drafted both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders to create one of the murkiest quarterback situations in the NFL.
Over two seasons with the Steelers and one with the Eagles, Pickett, a first-round pick in 2022, has posted 62.4% completion percentage with 4,765 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. If he can get healthy before the season begins, he should remain in the starting mix.
Here's a look at Kenny Pickett's injury and how it affects the quarterback battle in Cleveland.
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Kenny Pickett injury update
Pickett reportedly suffered a hamstring injury at the end of the Browns' practice on Saturday. He will be evaluated at the end of this week.
While there is no consensus starter yet in Cleveland, missing time won't help Pickett's case. He appeared to be having a good start to training camp, but he will now relinquish some snaps to his competitors.
Browns QB Kenny Pickett injured his hamstring near the end of Saturday’s practice and is expected to re-evaluate the injury later this week, per sources. Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps… pic.twitter.com/y2oxkt96fy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2025“Pickett was coming off a strong couple of practices, per sources, and at least for the short term, there now will be more reps for Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders,” Schefter said.
Pickett hasn't started since 2023, when he was the leading man in Pittsburgh for 12 games before being benched in favor of Mason Rudolph.
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Browns QB depth chart
| QB | Player |
| 1. | Joe Flacco |
| 2. | Dillon Gabriel |
| 3. | Shedeur Sanders |
| 4. | Kenny Pickett (injured) |
| 5. | Deshaun Watson (injured) |
With Pickett's injury, he presumably drops below Gabriel and Sanders on the depth chart. Joe Flacco is still the most experienced option, putting him as the No. 1 quarterback, but the reports coming out of Browns camp indicate a starter has not emerged yet.
It's unlikely that there are four QBs on the roster when Week 1 rolls around, and of the group, Gabriel is probably the safest, given the draft capital expended to get him. Sanders has picked up two speeding tickets off the field and reportedly hasn't shown much on the field this summer.
Overall, the organization is in a state of complete turmoil at the position right now. Deshaun Watson is expected to miss the 2025 season after rupturing his Achilles during the 2024 season and again in the offseason.
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