The Browns are entering the contest with a depleted roster as many starters will be sidelined. Notable absences include quarterback Deshaun Watson, wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, David Bell, Cedric Tillman, running backs Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., and defensive standouts Greg Newsome II, Denzel Ward, Myles Garrett, and Grant Delpit. Offensive line veterans Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin, and Ethan Pocic are also not expected to play. This opens the door for younger and backup players to get valuable preseason reps.
The focus will be on rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, making his NFL debut after being selected in the fifth round by the Browns. With injuries to Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel, and veteran Joe Flacco resting, Sanders is set to start and could play up to 50 snaps, sharing quarterback duties with recent signee Tyler “Snoop” Huntley. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the plan, stating, “Shedeur and Snoop will be the quarterbacks who are playing in this game.”
Sanders, who threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns at Colorado in his final college season, is competing for the starting job in Cleveland. The absence of most offensive starters means he will be working primarily with second- and third-team receivers against a Panthers defense expected to field more starters. This preseason test is crucial for Sanders’ NFL prospects, as a strong performance could elevate his standing in the Browns’ ongoing quarterback competition.
For fans wanting to watch, the game is available live on NFL Network, and can be streamed via NFL+ and Fubo. Full live coverage, including real-time stats and highlights, can be found on ESPN’s Browns vs. Panthers Gamecast. The Panthers, coming off a challenging 2024 season, will look to test their own roster depth as they prepare for the regular season.
With the regular season approaching, Friday’s game provides an early look at potential breakout players and ongoing positional battles, especially at quarterback for Cleveland. As the Browns evaluate their depth chart, all eyes will be on Shedeur Sanders as he takes his first NFL snaps under center.