Deshaun Watson: "Already lining up the excuses": Deshaun Watson's coach slams Shedeur Sanders defenders for questioning Browns' decision to play QB in preseason

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly set to hand fourth-string quarterback Shedeur Sanders a start in their first preseason game on Friday, but the move has raised many eyebrows.

Stephen A. Smith claimed on ESPN's "First Take" that Sanders is being “set up to fail” as he was not given first-team reps in practice, after which Deshaun Watson's coach Quincy Avery fired back.

“Oh no, not a chance to actually play football as a 4th string QB and 5th round pick. What a nightmare,” Avery posted on X. “Can’t believe some folks are already lining up the excuses. Unreal.”

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Sanders was a projected first-rounder who slid to the fifth round on the 2025 NFL draft. Deion Sanders' son is behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel on the Browns' depth chart.

However, the 23-year-old isn’t backing down from the challenge.

“Have you watched me in college? I’m still the same guy, nothing happened to me,” he told reporters on Monday.

Also read: "We don't need to see Joe Flacco": Colin Cowherd rips into Browns’ QB drama as Shedeur Sanders lands QB1 role in preseason opener against Panthers

Shedeur Sanders gives update on arm soreness

The Browns' rookie quarterback complained of arm soreness during a practice session on Aug. 2, but he isn’t pressing the panic button just yet.

“Yeah, in college, it was often,” Sanders told reporters Monday when asked about his arm flaring up. “It was just adjusting to starting and stopping.”

Despite the discomfort, the ex-Colorado QB made it clear he expects to be back at full strength immediately:

“Yeah,” he said when asked if he’d be 100% by the next practice. Still, taking himself out of drills wasn’t easy. “Of course, there’s definitely something in your mind. I always hear my dad’s voice in my mind… But at the end of the day, I want to be productive.”

Sanders confirmed that he did not need an MRI.

“MRI for what? I hope I ain’t break anything,” he laughed.

Shedeur Sanders will be under the spotlight against the Panthers, and he’s focused on making every snap count.

“Every rep… I take it like it could be my last,” he said.

For a fifth-round pick with everything to prove, that mindset might be his biggest weapon.

Also read: Tee Higgins' mother shows support for Shedeur Sanders after Coach Prime's son faces doubts over preseason starter role

About the author

Prasen is an NFL/College Sports analyst at Sportskeeda. A B.Tech/Civil Engineering graduate, he has two years of experience writing content.

For Prasen, providing historical angles relevant to the story is important, as it can give the reader useful information and help them relate it to the present. He thinks this keeps the content unique rather than just a bland reporting of facts. Prasen believes in fact-checking and researching relevant information as per the headline and context. He hates clickbait or misleading the reader.

A fan of the Colorado Buffaloes since Deion Sanders took over as coach, Prasen expects Coach Prime to make the Buffs a national championship contender. Nick Saban is his favorite all-time coach, while Baker Mayfield and Caitlin Clark are his favorite players. Prasen considers Vince Young coming up clutch for the Texas Longhorns in the dying seconds of the 2017 national championship game against the USC Trojans as the most iconic moment of all time.

Per Prasen, College Sports is competitive and garners attention but it is just the beginning, where a student-athlete can show their skills and potential to make it to the big leagues. When he is not researching and writing, Prasen’s hobbies include pursuing higher studies and playing sports.

Know More

Cleveland Browns Nation! Check out the latest Cleveland Browns Schedule and dive into the Browns Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

Edited by Prasen