Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed what role rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will play in Week 6

After several days of speculation Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski officially announced that rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will serve as the team's backup quarterback for this weekend's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Three-year veteran Bailey Zappe was also in the mix for the backup role as a member of the team's practice squad. Ultimately, Stefanski after the full week of practice that Sanders was ready for the notable promotion that now makes him one play away from seeing the field. 

"Shedeur will be the backup," Stefanski declared. "I'm always thinking about our players and what's best for our players. And I want to make sure when it comes to young football players, particularly at the quarterback position, that you are intentional about your decision making and that's really all it is." 

The decision came after Cleveland decided to trade 18-year veteran Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. It's a move that even Stefanski admitted surprised him when it all came together so quickly. 

Flacco had previously been the Browns starting QB for the first four weeks of the season, but was benched in favor of rookie QB Dillon Gabriel ahead of Week 5. The demotion paved the way for Executive Vice President of Football Operations Andrew Berry to send the 40-year-old QB to a division rival, desperate for competent starter under center with star QB Joe Burrow hurt. 

With Flacco out of the picture, focus immediately shifted this week to who would serve as Gabriel's backup moving forward. For now at least, it will be Zappe.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Sanders expressed his readiness to play, but also that he'd leave it up to the coaches to decide what was best. 

"I'm overly confident within myself, so I know when I first got here, I'm ready to play," the fifth-round pick said. "But, you know, it's up to the coaches and whatever decision they make them, then I'm fine with." 

Suddenly, Sanders is closer than ever to seeing the field for the Browns. 

"I think the big thing there is all of us play our role throughout the week and on Sunday," Stefanski said of Sanders' preparation this week. "And obviously that backup quarterback role is a little bit different. We're doing everything we can to support the starter, and then you have to be ready in a moment's notice. That's just the life of backup players at every position." 

Meanwhile, the Browns will head into Sunday's matchup against Pittsburgh with a relatively clean bill of health overall. Only defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. was ruled out at the end of the practice week. 

Fellow defensive tackle Shelby Harris missed a day of practice earlier in the week due to a knee injury but practiced each of the last two days to conclude the week and is in the clear to play Sunday. Safety Damontae Kazee missed Thursday's practice due to illness but returned one day later and is also in the clear. 

One thing Stefanski wouldn't share is whether or not recently acquired tackle Cam Robinson would start at left tackle for Cleveland. The 2017 second-round pick took some snaps at that spot against the Vikings in Week 5, rotating with KT Leveston. That decision will likely be revealed prior to kickoff on Sunday. If Robinson does start, he'd be the fourth player to start at left tackle for the Browns this season.