Browns Rookie Outing Raises Eyebrows After Key Absence

The Cleveland Browns‘ rookie class enjoyed a day at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, but fans were quick to notice someone missing from the fun.

Photos from the outing — which included feeding giraffes and getting up close with rhinos — were shared by the team on social media with the caption: “The rookies had a blast during their visit to the [Cleveland Metroparks Zoo]! Thanks for having us!”

But it wasn’t the animals or activities that caught fans’ attention. The comments quickly filled with questions about the absence of fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was notably missing from the group shots and did not appear to attend the trip.

“Where’s Shedeur?” several fans asked.

“Looks like Sanders already claimed his spot with the vets,” one commenter joked.

“Shedeur ain’t get invited?” another wrote.

As many pointed out, Sanders was not the only rookie missing. First-round pick Mason Graham was not in the photos and neither was second-round running back Quinshon Judkins.

All Eyes Remain on Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

Sanders is the most high-profile fifth-round pick in recent memory, and his every move is documented. He’s made headlines for the wrong reason in recent weeks, getting pulled over on two separate occasions for speeding tickets.

While his recent speeding tickets aren’t expected to significantly affect his status with the team or in the quarterback competition, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com noted that Sanders could still face some form of internal discipline for the infractions.

“The Browns will address the tickets and possibly deliver some kind of consequences for conduct detrimental to the team, especially considering the second one came during rookie orientation,” Cabot said. “But I doubt his reps or status in the competition will be impacted. He left minicamp as the fourth-team quarterback, and will likely open training camp the same way.”

Sanders hasn’t addressed the tickets at length but said he plans to learn from the misstep.

“I’ve made some wrong choices, personally, I can own up to them,” Sanders said in a video that circulated on social media. “I’ve made some not great choices. I learn from it.”

Shedeur Sanders Focused on Being ‘Best Teammate’

Sanders is part of the four-man battle for the starting quarterback role in Cleveland. However, he faces an uphill battle to win the job out of the gate. But Sanders isn’t in a rush and is focusing on refining the “small things” in his game.

“My goal is to be the best teammate and to be as polished as I can be in every aspect,” Sanders said during minicamp. “I view things as I got time. I got time to be able to grow and mature and be able to understand the ins and outs of the defenses and be able to get the good insight from the vets in the room.

“So, I look at it as a plus. I got time to actually be able to really have a great understanding and whenever it’s time for me to play, then it’s time for me to play. But I’m not looking too far in the future about all that. I’m looking [at] every day in practice. … I’m focused on the small things and over time the big things will happen.”

Sanders and the Browns will gather for training camp in late July, with their first preseason game slated for Aug. 8 against the Carolina Panthers.