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PHILADELPHIA -- Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders injured an oblique throwing Wednesday morning, according to the team, and was held out of the first day of joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles. Further medical testing and examination revealed an oblique strain. Sanders is considered day-to-day, won't practice Thursday and is unlikely to play in the preseason game vs. the Eagles on Saturday. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio after practice that Sanders suffered oblique discomfort during warmups and that the plan for Sanders to practice was scrapped at the last minute. Stefanski said ahead of Thursday's practice that Sanders would be out "for a little bit" and the team wanted to be smart with his health because the former Colorado standout is "a thrower." "If you're a right guard, you can kind of play though that," Stefanski said. "When it's a quarterback, you kind of need that muscle to throw." Sanders wasn't completely ruled out for Saturday's game. Stefanski said backup Joe Flacco won't play against the Eagles. Tyler Huntley and Dillon Gabriel could get the bulk of playing time. Kenny Pickett is limited with a hamstring injury. Sanders was the sole Browns quarterback who did not take any practice reps Wednesday during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 team drills. Flacco, Pickett, Gabriel and Huntley all took snaps Wednesday. Sanders' injury is the latest in a string of ailments that have impacted the team's position room amid a quarterback competition. Pickett and Gabriel have recently been limited by hamstring injuries. Pickett injured his hamstring on July 26 and has yet to participate in 11-on-11 drills. "Injuries stink for all these guys," Stefanski said. "They don't want to miss a rep for any reason. There's a way to continue to prepare to continue to get better even when you're not getting those reps because of injury." Sanders was held out of practice Aug. 2 after reporting arm soreness. Before practice, Stefanski said Sanders would start the second preseason game against the Eagles on Saturday if Pickett and Gabriel were unable to play. Sanders, who slid to the 144th pick in the 2025 NFL draft, started the Browns' preseason opener in the wake of injuries to Pickett and Gabriel. Sanders, who played 45 snaps, completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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