Overview

• Joe Flacco is confirmed as the Browns’ Week 1 starter after a crowded summer competition with Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
• Kenny Pickett remains sidelined by a hamstring injury and will not play in the preseason finale against the Rams.
• Shedeur Sanders returned from an oblique issue and is slated to follow Flacco and Dillon Gabriel in Saturday’s quarterback order.
• Reporting indicates Pickett was initially in serious contention to open as QB1 before his hamstring setback altered the plan.
• Analysts project a potential midseason evaluation window for a rookie switch — possibly around Week 7 or after the Week 9 bye — while Browns legend Bernie Kosar says he is close to receiving a liver transplant.