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.
The loss to the Ravens was the first time Sanders worked with the starting offense, but he'll practice with the first-team unit ahead of Sunday's game. The rookie said he feels confident about the opportunity ahead.
"I know our fans have a lot of expectation and hope," Sanders said after officially getting the starting nod, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "I would be doing a disservice to myself and a disservice to the organization if I didn't feel like I am the guy. I did everything I need to. I'm doing everything I need to prepare to be the best version of myself that's possible."
Sanders added: "I like pressure in life. I'm just excited for everything. I feel like I'm the guy. I know I'm the guy, but you just have to be able to see."
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.