Shedeur to make 1st career start vs. Raiders
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders will make his first NFL start Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced Wednesday.
The 23-year-old gets the nod with Dillon Gabriel still in concussion protocol.
Sanders, son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, made his NFL regular-season debut during last Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens after Gabriel suffered the injury. He struggled in relief, completing four of his 16 pass attempts for no touchdowns and one interception.
Once discussed as a potential top choice in the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders slid to the fifth round before the Browns used the 144th overall pick on the Colorado product. Sanders was the second quarterback selected by Cleveland, with Gabriel drafted in the third round.
Starting Sunday's game completes a meteoric rise for Sanders since the draft. Initially tabbed as the fourth-string quarterback to open the preseason, Sanders moved up to QB3 once the Browns traded Kenny Pickett. Cleveland then bumped him to the primary backup role after dealing Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals in October, a move that opened the door for Gabriel to become the starter.
The Browns are in the midst of another disappointing season, sitting at 2-8 and in last place in the AFC North.