Shedeur Sanders is set to make his debut as a starter for the Browns this Sunday against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
The announcement came from Browns coach Kevin Stefanski during a briefing at the team’s training facility. He also mentioned that Dillon Gabriel remains under the NFL’s concussion protocol.
“He’s improving, but we need to develop a game plan that utilizes all our players effectively, whether on offense, defense, or special teams,” Stefanski stated to the reporters.
Sanders made his first appearance for the Browns last week, coming in during the second half of a 23-16 defeat against the Ravens while Gabriel was sidelined due to a concussion.
As the 144th overall pick in this year’s draft, he completed 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and threw one interception during his initial game in the NFL. He also faced one interception and was sacked twice.
Stefanski commented on Sanders’ progress, saying he has observed “significant growth” since his arrival in Cleveland. “He’s eager to ensure he’s confident with every concept we throw at him,” he added. “Having spent months around him gives me insight into what aligns with his vision. I want to focus on those elements.”
This opportunity is crucial for Sanders, who has faced a tumultuous journey since the conclusion of his college career.
Being the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and current Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, he saw his draft prospects drop in the months leading up to the event, as he was once considered a potential top-five selection.
After being drafted by the Browns, it became evident that he would need time to catch up at the start of training camp, competing with rookie Gabriel and established veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
Following trades that sent Pickett to the Raiders and Flacco to the Bengals in August, Sanders moved up to the second spot on the Browns’ quarterback depth chart.
