Overview

• Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Flacco earned the job after strong work in practices and joint sessions, as the 40-year-old prepares for his first opening-week start since 2022.
• Kenny Pickett returned to 11-on-11 drills for the first time since his July 26 hamstring strain, while Shedeur Sanders remained limited with an oblique injury.
• Sanders impressed in his preseason debut (14-of-23, 138 yards, two TDs) but missed the second game and has logged few recent reps; Dillon Gabriel has battled a hamstring and mixed results.
• Stefanski has not named a QB2 and GM Andrew Berry has said keeping four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster is possible, a rare approach the team is still evaluating.
• Flacco acknowledged his role could change over the season, and some analysts predict a potential midyear switch if results falter during a tough early schedule; he is expected to play in Saturday’s preseason finale versus the Rams.