Asante Samuel Alleges Browns Deliberately Sideline QB Shedeur Sanders Amid Injuries

Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns, has yet to see significant playing time despite the team's struggles and the poor performance of starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Fans, analysts, and former NFL players like Asante Samuel have criticized the Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski, accusing them of deliberately keeping Sanders off the field, citing frequent and questionable injury reports as possible tactics to avoid playing him. Sanders has reportedly suffered from arm soreness, an oblique injury, and back tightness, but observers remain skeptical about these reasons for his continued absence. Despite multiple injuries, Sanders practiced last week and remains ready to play, yet Stefanski has committed to Gabriel as the starter even after a series of underwhelming performances. The Browns' quarterback situation has been described as dysfunctional, with some speculating that the organization fears embarrassment if Sanders succeeds on the field. The team's owner previously expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to draft Sanders, adding to the perception of internal friction regarding the quarterback's role.