Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to start in Week 12 with Dillon Gabriel in concussion protocol. Sanders will make his first NFL start against the Las Vegas Raiders after a rough debut in Week 11, where he completed just four of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception against the Baltimore Ravens. The matchup is far more favorable this time around, as the Raiders' defense has struggled throughout the season and was even considered a potential landing spot for Sanders during the draft process. While Sanders should draw plenty of attention as Deion Sanders' son prepares for his first start, he profiles as a low-end QB3 for fantasy purposes in Week 12.
Nov 19, 2025 11:08 AM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his long-awaited NFL debut on Sunday against the Ravens, but the rookie struggled mightily, completing only four of his 16 pass attempts for 47 yards with an interception and adding three rushing attempts for 16 yards. With starter Dillon Gabriel working through the concussion protocol, Sanders should get most of the first-team work in practice this week, and he does bring a high ceiling with his dual-threat abilities in a favorable matchup against the Raiders in Week 12. He looked very rough in his first taste of the NFL, so he's extremely high-risk to play this week, but he does have intriguing potential if you need a desperation play in two-QB formats in what is expected to be his first NFL start.
Nov 18, 2025 11:00 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to start Sunday's game in Las Vegas against the Raiders in Week 12 with fellow rookie QB Dillon Gabriel (head) in the league's concussion protocol, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Sanders will become the team's 42nd starter since 1999 this weekend, barring something unexpected. The 23-year-old fifth-rounder out of Colorado made his NFL debut in place of the injured Gabriel in Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens and struggled, going 4-for-16 as a passer for 47 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. He took two sacks and also ran the ball three times for 16 yards while fumbling. Sanders will have a much easier matchup in his first career start, but more struggles wouldn't be a surprise. The Browns have said that Gabriel will return to the starting role whenever he's cleared from the concussion protocol, so Sanders doesn't deserve a big investment off the waiver wire in two-QB leagues.
Nov 17, 2025 6:49 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to speculate when asked on Monday about the possibility of quarterback Shedeur Sanders turning a potential Week 12 start against the Raiders into a longer-term stint as the starter. Sanders entered the team's Week 11 loss to the Ravens when Dillon Gabriel (concussion) was knocked out of the game in the third quarter. In his first action of the season, he completed four of 16 pass attempts for 47 yards and an interception, while taking two sacks. Gabriel will need to clear the league's concussion protocol before he can return to action, but even if Sanders gets his first career start in Week 12, the expectation is that Gabriel will be given the chance to reclaim the starting role regardless of outcome.
Nov 17, 2025 2:14 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders will return to the backup role if Dillon Gabriel (concussion) clears concussion protocol ahead of Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Gabriel will be the starter when healthy. Gabriel exited midway through Sunday's Week 11 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. He had orchestrated a six-point lead, but Sanders struggled upon entering, completing just four of his 16 pass attempts with one interception and two sacks. Neither Gabriel nor Sanders is very appealing in redraft leagues, and both would rank outside the top 24 quarterbacks against Las Vegas.
Nov 16, 2025 7:57 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (back) will be the team's No. 2 QB on Sunday against the New York Jets in Week 10, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Sanders missed the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots due to back tightness, but he's ready to back up fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel once again coming out of the team's bye week. With the 23-year-old signal-caller back to full health, Bailey Zappe will revert to the QB3 role. Sanders has slowly risen up Cleveland's QB depth chart this year following the trades of Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco. The Browns want to get an extended look at Gabriel as the starter under center, but it doesn't mean that Sanders won't make his NFL debut for the team later this year. Still, he should only be rostered right now in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Nov 7, 2025 1:29 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (back) was upgraded to a full practice participant on Thursday after he was listed as limited on Wednesday due to a back injury, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Back tightness forced Sanders to be inactive for the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots, which led to Bailey Zappe serving as the backup to rookie Dillon Gabriel. The 23-year-old Sanders is obviously feeling much better after having last week's bye to heal up, so it looks like he'll be back this weekend as the QB2 behind Gabriel against the New York Jets. Sanders, whose draft-day fall to the fifth round was the story of this year's NFL draft, has been praised by the coaching staff for the work that he's put in. However, Gabriel has gotten the first crack at starting duties in 2025 after the team traded away Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco. Sanders could get his shot later this year, but right now, he's only stash-worthy in fantasy leagues in dynasty/keeper formats.
Nov 6, 2025 5:44 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders (back) will return to practice on Wednesday from the back injury that sidelined him in Cleveland's most recent game against the New England Patriots. It appears Sanders is on track to be active for the Browns' Week 10 matchup against the New York Jets. If he's healthy enough to play in Week 10, Sanders would likely be the backup to fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. For now, Sanders is still waiting on an opportunity to make his NFL debut. Across six games (four starts), Gabriel has completed 59.9% of his pass attempts for 702 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. Despite the modest production, there's been no indication out of Cleveland that the team is currently considering replacing Gabriel with Sanders any time soon.
Nov 5, 2025 11:59 AM EST
Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders (back) is still dealing with the back tightness that made him inactive for the team's Week 8 loss to the Patriots. The Browns had a Week 9 bye, but as they begin preparation for Sunday's matchup with the Jets, Sanders has not returned to practice, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. While the team won't need to file an official practice report until Wednesday, Stefanski did note that the situation was improving. Coming out of the bye with a 2-6 record, Stefanski has handed over play-calling duties to OC Tommy Rees, but as of now, that's the only change coming out of Cleveland. Dillon Gabriel remains the team's starting quarterback.
Nov 3, 2025 2:40 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (back) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 8 contest against the New England Patriots. He had been listed as questionable after his back tightened up following practice on Friday. Sanders tested his injury pregame, and it was ultimately determined that the rookie wouldn't be able to suit up. Former Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe will be active against his old team, serving as Dillon Gabriel's backup.
Oct 26, 2025 11:32 AM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (back) is a late addition to the injury report due to a back injury and is officially listed as questionable for his team's Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots. The Browns announced that quarterback Bailey Zappe was elevated from the practice squad for Week 8, and Zappe appears likely to serve as the team's backup to Dillon Gabriel if Sanders is unable to play against New England. Sanders has yet to make his NFL debut and has served as Cleveland's QB2 since the team traded away former starter Joe Flacco in early October. In three starts since taking over for Flacco, Gabriel has thrown for 527 yards and two touchdowns. Sanders may get his opportunity at some point this season, but it appears unlikely to be in Week 8.
Oct 25, 2025 2:13 PM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders continues to be on the outside looking in after owner Jimmy Haslam confirmed that the team wants to see more reps from Dillon Gabriel in the near future. Haslam did comment on Sanders, saying, "Shedeur's making progress in practice, so we're going to continue to work with both of those guys." Gabriel has delivered modest production through three starts, completing 59.8 percent of his passes for 546 yards and three touchdowns. There have been some calls to bench Gabriel for Sanders, but the fact that the former has zero turnovers and has played against some stingy defenses (Steelers and Vikings) bodes well for his chance to remain the starter for at least a couple more weeks. That leaves Sanders in the backup role. At the very least, though, it was encouraging to see Cleveland's owner comment on the rookie quarterback and his progression. He's an intriguing dynasty stash.
Oct 25, 2025 9:47 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders will serve as the backup to fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel in the Week 6 divisional clash on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Sanders began the year buried on Cleveland's QB depth chart, but he has slowly risen up the ranks after the Browns traded both Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. The 23-year-old showed well in training camp and the preseason and has been praised by the coaching staff for the work that he's put in, but they are going to continue to develop him at their own pace in what is looking like another rebuilding year. Gabriel will probably have a long leash under center as he heads into just his second NFL start this weekend against Pittsburgh. However, Sanders' odds of seeing action in 2025 later this year have risen dramatically after the trade of Flacco this week. He is still only deserving of being rostered in fantasy in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Oct 10, 2025 1:34 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns have said numerous times that they are trying to develop rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders "very intentionally," according to Mark Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said he has to do what's best for the players as well as the team. It's why Stefanski has not yet named Sanders as the No. 2, even though Cleveland traded veteran Joe Flacco to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals this week. Sanders looked good during the preseason and has been praised by the coaching staff for the work he's been putting in, and although the 23-year-old is expected to see the field at some point in 2025, the Browns aren't going to rush that moment. He could be active for the first time this year as the backup to fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel this weekend against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, unless the Browns choose to elevate Bailey Zappe from the practice squad into the QB2 role.
Oct 8, 2025 12:23 PM EST
With the Cleveland Browns trading veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, it means that rookie fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders is now the No. 2 QB for the Browns behind fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. Sanders will be active on game day this coming Sunday for a Week 6 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The Browns benched Flacco going into their Week 5 game in London against the Minnesota Vikings in favor of Gabriel. The Oregon product actually held his own against a veteran Vikings defense and will be looking to take a step forward in his second NFL start this weekend against Green Bay. Cleveland will use the rest of the 2025 campaign to evaluate both Gabriel and Sanders going into the future. Sanders figures to see some playing time eventually, but for now, he should only be rosterd in dynasty/keeper leagues in fantasy.
Oct 7, 2025 5:23 PM EST
According to a report from NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has developed steadily and is likely to make an appearance "when ready." The Browns are starting a rookie quarterback Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, but gave Dillon Gabriel the first crack at playing following the benching of Joe Flacco. For now, Flacco will be the backup with Sanders set to be the third option, but Rapoport notes the team may give Sanders a chance later this season with a full week of starter's reps at practice and a gameplan crafted for him. From a fantasy perspective, it's awfully challenging to trust anything about the Browns' quarterback room, keeping Sanders as a dynasty stash for now.
Oct 5, 2025 8:07 AM EST
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reports that Shedeur Sanders will remain as the team's QB3, even in light of the Dillon Gabriel news reported by Adam Schefter on Wednesday that Gabriel will start on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Sanders will have to continue to wait his turn to get an opportunity to prove what he can do at the NFL level. Veteran Joe Flacco will serve as the backup quarterback in Week 5, leaving Sanders as third on the depth chart. Sanders, at this time, continues to be a dynasty stash at best. Still, his path to getting an opportunity may have just gotten closer, as it appears the Browns might be moving on from the Joe Flacco experience for the long term with the switch to Gabriel in Week 5. However, at this time, he will remain third on the quarterback depth chart.
Oct 1, 2025 9:39 AM EST
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders has yet to take the field in a regular-season game. That being said, there have been rumors that the team is considering starting rookie Dillon Gabriel ahead of a Week 5 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in London. If the Browns do end up making the change, it remains to be seen whether Sanders will remain the team's QB3 or if he will move up to QB2 ahead of Joe Flacco, who has struggled as Cleveland's starter this season. Either way, it would be a minor surprise if the Browns don't find a way to get Sanders on the field at some point this season, if for no other reason than to see what they have in the former Colorado Buffaloes star. Sanders should remain rostered in deep, two-quarterback dynasty formats.
Sep 30, 2025 7:15 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski offered a shoutout to quarterback Shedeur Sanders heading into Week 4 against the Detroit Lions. "[Sanders] has done a good job," Stefanski said. "I think all our guys feel like they're ready and they're working hard." These comments paint a slight picture of Sanders' potential role going forward, but they also fail to differentiate him from fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel or even current veteran starter Joe Flacco. Flacco earned himself some of the coaches' trust last week as he led the Browns to a victory over the Packers, who had been 2-0. As for Sanders, he'll continue to watch from the sideline and can be dropped in all redraft leagues.
Sep 27, 2025 9:19 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders said in an interview with ESPN Cleveland that he's "ready to play right now" and is "more capable" than other QBs in the league. Sanders is keeping a positive mindset on a daily basis despite being the No. 3 signal-caller on Cleveland's depth chart behind veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. His father, former NFL legend Deion Sanders, recently said that he thinks his son will be starting for the Browns at some point this year despite falling to the fifth round in April's draft. Flacco has not impressed at all through three weeks, but Gabriel will almost certainly get the first shot at starting duties under center in Cleveland before Sanders does if the Browns eventually bench Flacco. The 23-year-old looked good during preseason action, but it was also against second- and third-stringers on defense.
Sep 25, 2025 7:00 PM EST
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