Shedeur Sanders will get his first taste of NFL action Friday night, and his Cleveland Browns teammates are eager to see how the rookie quarterback handles the moment. Coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday that Sanders will start the Browns' preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Browns and Panthers held a joint practice on Wednesday in Carolina ahead of their preseason opener on Friday night. The big story going into this practice and the game is Shedeur Sanders starting as the Browns navigate injuries in their quarterback room.

Sanders received light work in the joint practice session with the Panthers, but the competitor in him is ready for Friday night.