Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders gets his first career start on Sunday when the Las Vegas Raiders visit Cleveland for a matchup of two-win teams.
Sanders, who made his NFL debut last week, was elevated from the backup spot with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel in concussion protocol. Gabriel went to the locker room after taking a hit in Cleveland’s 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week, forcing Sanders to enter the game in relief.
“Shedeur is going to start at quarterback. Dillon is in concussion protocol, but he is improving,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday. “Obviously we’ve got to put a plan together, for all of our guys — offense, defense and special teams — give our guys a chance.”
Sanders becomes the 13th quarterback to start for the Browns in Stefanski’s six seasons. He’s the 42nd starting quarterback for the Browns since they rejoined the NFL in 1999.
He will be at the controls of an offense that is next-to-last in the NFL in total offense (257.3) and passing yards (159.4). The Browns are 29th in the NFL in scoring (16.2 points per game), one spot ahead of the Raiders and Saints, who are tied at 15.5 points per game.
Sanders saw constant blitz pressure from the Ravens last week.
“You want to make sure that all the concepts are things that he feels confident in. Obviously, having been around him over the months, you get a good sense of the things that fit his eyes,” Stefanski said. “So, definitely want to lean into those types of things, and he’s working very hard.”
Gabriel, a third-round pick drafted 50 spots ahead of Sanders in April, became the starter in Week 5, unseating Joe Flacco for the role. He started six games and went 1-5.
Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, prompting Sanders to take on the backup job.
Last week, Sanders went 4-of-16 passing for 49 yards with an interception and was sacked twice in his debut.
He will get “every rep” with the first-team offense in practice this week, Stefanski said. Gabriel is unavailable to practice Wednesday.
Bailey Zappe is the No. 2 quarterback for the Browns this week.
