In a different world, Shedeur Sanders might've gotten a shot this week.
That's true in a couple ways, too, for the Cleveland Browns' rookie quarterback out of Colorado.
If he had instead been drafted by the reportedly interested Baltimore Ravens, Sanders could've been starting with Lamar Jackson out injured.
And if the Browns' depth chart had shaken out differently, Sanders could've started for Cleveland in London after Joe Flacco's benching.
But instead, Dillon Gabriel got the nod in place of Flacco.
MORE: Why Dillon Gabriel is starting for the Browns at QB and not Shedeur Sanders
Why isn't Shedeur Sanders playing?
Shedeur Sanders remains the Browns' No. 3 QB.
He's only available as the emergency quarterback for Cleveland, meaning he only can get into the game if both Gabriel (QB1) and Flacco (backup) get hurt.
Sanders has been behind Gabriel in the pecking order all offseason. The Browns drafted Gabriel 50 picks ahead of Sanders, and then Gabriel got all the reps before Sanders in training camp and the preseason.
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There was some expectation that Sanders would be QB2 once Gabriel got promoted, but at least in Week 5, that's not true.
The Browns feel Flacco would be more ready to step in and play in a pinch if Gabriel has to exit abruptly.
In the meantime, Sanders will have to keep watching and waiting.
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