One NFL analyst had an interesting take after Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders suffered an injury in practice.
“Blessing in Disguise”: NFL Analyst Offers Interesting Shedeur Sanders Take After Recent Setback originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been one of the major players to watch this preseason. After a stellar run for the Jackson State Tigers and Colorado Buffaloes, one that saw Sanders throw for a combined 14,347 yards with 134 touchdowns, there were plenty of expectations.
Sanders then fell to the fifth round in the 2025 NFL Draft and has been in a QB battle for the Cleveland Browns. He started the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers and went 14-of-23 for 138 yards and two touchdowns as the Browns won 30-10.
His debut had everybody talking, even days after the game, although an injury in practice left fans wondering what's next for the former Colorado star.
On Wednesday, Sanders suffered an oblique injury and left practice early, putting his immediate status into question.
NFL Analyst Shares Interesting Opinion After Sanders' Injury
Sanders seemed to be in line to start the second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, but this latest injury news means somebody else will take over for now.
On an episode of "First Take," former NFL player Chris Canty revealed why this could be a "blessing in disguise."
"This could be a blessing in disguise for Shedeur Sanders," Canty said. "The ultimate objective is to sell the Cleveland Browns that you are their future at the quarterback position, especially considering that the Browns have two first-round draft picks in 2026.
"Maybe just maybe, it might be in Shedeur's best interest with this potential injury, the fact that you're not going to see him out there against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night, it tampers down unrealistic expectations that some people have been putting on Shedeur while he's being in the mix for the QB1 job," Canty continued. "Starting the season as QB1 as a rookie, might not be ideal."
Canty went on to mention the Browns' schedule to begin the year, which features showdowns against the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in September alone.
That is a tough stretch with three of those four teams making the playoffs a year ago and the Bengals also in contention for a playoff spot.
"Although it's never, never ideal to be dealing with an injury, the fact that this does give everybody a chance to chill out with the expectations, I feel this could be a good thing for Shedeur in the long run," Canty concluded.
Sanders was once viewed as a first-round draft pick, so his slide to the fifth round was a stunning turn of events.
Still, he has opened eyes time and time again with impressive performances in camp and the first preseason game, even drawing a comment from one AFC North executive.
"It’s early, but wow. Actually shocked at how good he looks," one executive told Jordan Schultz during the preseason opener.
For now, Sanders will focus on recovering from the injury, and it could mean one of Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel or Tyler Huntley opens the season as the QB1, although Canty views it as more of a positive development in the long run.
The Browns visit the Eagles at 1 p.m. ET Saturday in a preseason game televised live on NFL Network.
Related: Cleveland Browns Dealt Troubling Shedeur Sanders Blow on Wednesday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
