The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition is down one challenger.
Kenny Pickett suffered a hamstring injury during practice, and will be re-evaluated next week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday.
Pickett has been working as the No. 2 QB for Cleveland so far during training camp, but is firmly in the mix for the starting job. Veteran journeyman Joe Flacco, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are all also vying to be the man under centre come Week 1.
Coming into Sunday, the 27-year-old Pickett got five first-team reps during practice, second to Flacco’s seven. Gabriel had one, while Sanders had zero.
The Browns acquired Pickett in March from the Eagles with the hopes that the former first-round pick could find his footing and lead the franchise with Deshaun Watson injured.
Since being selected 20th overall by the Steelers in 2022 , the University of Pittsburgh product has started 25 games for Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, going 15-10 while tossing 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
After trading for Pickett, Cleveland crowded the QB room by selecting Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 draft and Sanders in the fifth.
With Pickett on the shelf for the time being, Schefter reported that Gabriel and Sanders are expected to see increased reps with the first team.