Cleveland Browns QB Kenny Pickett appeared to hurt his hamstring toward the end of Saturday’s practice. Prospects for Fernandez playing in the future training camp have raised concerns since this injury occurred. In one specific red zone drill, it was Pickett who took the last snaps of practice. He memorably threw a touchdown on the run, rolling to his right, but sadly he ended this season due to injury. He is slated to be re-evaluated later this week.
Before the injury, Pickett wowed observers with his strong arm and impressive skills during training camp. In fact, even his first coordinator—offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave—described his first two practices as “stellar.” The Browns interested Pickett taking a while to develop. That’s precisely why they chose him with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. In March, the team traded a fifth-round pick along with quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire him.
The latest blow couldn’t have come at a more critical period for the Browns as they finalize their quarterback competition. Pickett had been alternating first-team reps with veteran Joe Flacco during the entire first week of camp. Flacco’s injury might be an opening for rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. They’ll be given better opportunities to prove their worth on the field.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledged that the quarterback rotation would remain fluid during the initial phases of training camp. The tweet came after he announced meeting with the entire offensive staff to address it. They will be recommending specific adjustments for the second week — in the interest of maximizing player performance and health.
Musgrave expressed optimism about the team’s quarterback situation prior to the injury, stating, “Next week will be important, and I don’t know if there’ll be any earth-shattering or earth-shaking changes.” Given that context, he stressed that all four quarterbacks are doing a terrific job. Their growth is a credit to the efforts of offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and Stefanski, who have provided each player with abundant chances to shine.
The Browns are preparing for their first padded practice on Monday. They’ll now turn their attention toward adjusting to life without Pickett. The team has not picked up Pickett’s fifth-year option, which means he will become a free agent after the 2025 season if he remains healthy and competes effectively.
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