Browns Add Former Colorado Teammate to Practice Squad, Fueling Shedeur Sanders Speculation

The Cleveland Browns may not have Shedeur Sanders under center just yet, but the team is adding a familiar target from his college days.

With Cleveland potentially planning for the future beyond Deshaun Watson, the Browns have brought in a player who already has chemistry with their second-string quarterback.

On Thursday, Sept. 17, the Browns announced the signing of wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. to their practice squad. The 24-year-old recently became available after being released by the Carolina Panthers following a difficult Week 1 performance against the Chicago Bears.

Carolina ultimately fell to Chicago 59-37, with Horn Jr. drawing attention after a muffed punt while the game was tied at 21. The Bears recovered the loose ball and went on to add three points.

However, a closer look at the play shows just how challenging the punt was. The ball was moving and spinning unpredictably as Horn Jr. attempted to track it. He reacted too late to make a clean attempt at the catch, allowing the ball to bounce loose and be recovered by Chicago’s special teams unit.

Horn Jr., who was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Colorado, has recorded 11 receptions for 108 yards in the NFL. Opportunities have been limited, in part because of the Panthers’ depth at wide receiver.

His move to Cleveland gives him an opportunity to reset and learn a new offensive system. More importantly, he will reunite with Sanders, his former quarterback at Colorado.

The pair connected frequently during their two seasons together. Horn Jr. finished that span with 1,008 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, while ending his college career just shy of 2,000 receiving yards.

Sanders is currently behind Watson on Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart, but should the Browns eventually turn to the second-year quarterback, Horn Jr. could become a logical candidate for a practice squad elevation. His familiarity with Sanders could provide the young quarterback with a trusted target as he adjusts to increased NFL responsibilities.

For now, Horn Jr. will remain on the practice squad and work toward earning a larger role within the organization while Watson continues to start.

Interestingly, the Browns and Panthers are scheduled to meet Sunday, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. ET.

Even if Sanders has not taken over as Cleveland’s quarterback by then, the Browns could have an opportunity to elevate Horn Jr. for the matchup against his former team. That could potentially give him a chance to contribute, including on special teams.

For Horn Jr., the move to Cleveland represents another opportunity to establish himself in the NFL—this time surrounded by at least one familiar face from his college career.