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By Josh Buckhalter
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Cleveland Browns have made yet another critical decision about their quarterback room heading into their Week 6 tilt against the Pittsburgh Steelers, this time regarding rookie fifth-round draft pick Shedeur Sanders.
The Browns named Dillon Gabriel as their starter in Week 5, and then traded Week 1 starter Joe Flacco to their AFC North rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. That created a void for the QB2 role.
There has been heavy speculation about Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski’s decision, with other, more experienced options available on the roster now and, potentially, down the road this season.
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Sanders is one of the most polarizing players in the league, despite being the No. 144 overall selection of the class and the second quarterback taken by his own team, where there were internal splits about his fit.
However, Stefanski did not mince words in naming Sanders as the Browns’ QB2 on Friday.
“Yeah, Shedeur will be the backup,” Stefanski told reporters on Friday when asked directly about the team’s QB depth chart.
Gabriel lost his only start last week against the Minnesota Vikings in London. He's completed 59% of his passes so far this season and thrown three touchdowns to zero interceptions and has earned the backing of Stefanski and the coaching staff.
However, Sanders’ star power belies his fifth-round draft and backup QB status.
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The attention Sanders has commanded despite being the third-string QB until this week is sure to intensify now that he is officially just one snap away from seeing the field for the Browns. Gabriel, who is undersized at 5-foot-11, has faced questions about his durability at this level.
It has taken some time for the Browns to reach this point.
Still, that they passed on calling up Bailey Zappe to be Gabriel's backup this week bodes well for Sanders, who could have to contend with three-time Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson later this season if he returns from a torn Achilles.
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