Only second to losing, good NFL teams hate “noise” around their team, especially “noise” around a player who is not making an impact on the team. Outside of his last name, one of the reasons QB Shedeur
Sanders fell to the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round was related to noise. Deserved or not, once teams evaluated him as a developmental prospect, the attention Sanders receives knocked him down a round or three.
The social media and traditional media noise around Sanders has continued to grow, with starting QB Dillon Gabriel struggling. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam addressed the team’s reasonable plan around the quarterback position, noting that Gabriel needs more time and Sanders is progressing well.
Then, on Saturday, early afternoon, the team announced that Sanders was being added to the injury report due to a tight back and would be listed as questionable for Week 8 against the New England Patriots. Along with that announcement, Cleveland elevated QB Bailey Zappe from the practice squad, along with DT Sam Kamara, for Sunday.
According to Mary Kay Cabot, Sanders’ back tightened up on him overnight:
This is the second injury of Sanders’ NFL career. After a very good start against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 of the preseason, Sanders was held out of joint practice and the second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
With all the noise and attention that Sanders receives, the timing of this back injury is likely to stir the conspiracy theory pot. Fans and media alike have opined on whether the Browns have Sanders’ best interests in mind or are trying to sabotage him. Others are likely to point out the randomness of a tight back despite the quarterback not being listed on the injury report previously and that position never getting hit in practice.
For now, Sanders could still be cleared in time for the game with Zappe as inactive. A player elevated from the practice squad is not eligible to be the emergency quarterback, so it is also possible that Zappe is active for Cleveland’s game in New England.
With the Browns flying out on Saturday, how Sanders reacts to treatment Saturday evening will decide his fate, while social media and media ponder what all of this might mean. (Probably nothing beyond what is being reported, if we are being honest.)
