Bailey Zappe has been elevated from the Cleveland Browns' practice squad ahead of Sunday's Week 8 game, after Shedeur Sanders was ruled questionable with an injury
19:23 ET, 25 Oct 2025
Shedeur Sanders has suffered a back injury and is questionable for Week 8
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Shedeur Sanders has suffered a back injury and is questionable for Week 8
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders may be replaced by Bailey Zappe for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots after suffering a back injury.
Sanders, 23, has yet to make his competitive NFL debut and has recently been linked with a trade away from the organization. He started the season competing with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel for the backup quarterback role until veteran Joe Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski elected Gabriel as his starting quarterback, a blow to Sanders, who was previously a projected first-round pick. Sanders is still competing for Gabriel's role, but is now questionable for Sunday's clash with New England.
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Cleveland added Sanders to the injury report on Saturday, and Zappe was elevated from the practice squad. Like Sanders, Zappe has also been looking for a breakthrough after playing just 15 games since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Sanders will likely replace Zappe as soon as he's healthy, but this is another setback for the rookie during a tough year. Sanders was a projected top pick, but slipped to the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The ex-Colorado signal caller impressed in the preseason, leading to speculation that he could be involved this season. However, Gabriel was preferred, meaning that Sanders was the third or fourth-string quarterback heading into Week 1.
Dillon Gabriel secured his first NFL victory in Week 7 the Miami Dolphins
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Dillon Gabriel secured his first NFL victory in Week 7 the Miami Dolphins(Image: 2025 Lauren Leigh Bacho)
Now that Flacco has been traded, Gabriel has been elevated to the starter, with Sanders as the backup. There has been uncertainty surrounding Gabriel's long-term future in the team, but Sanders may have to wait even longer for his opportunity.
This week, it was also revealed that Sanders has not been getting reps with the starting offense in practice. As Gabriel is also a rookie, he has been given extra time and attention to the detriment of Sanders.
Before Flacco was traded, Stefanski benched him for Gabriel. The Browns' head coach revealed that the rookie had received practice reps with the first-team offense.
Dillon Gabriel played first-team reps behind Joe Flacco
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Dillon Gabriel played first-team reps behind Joe Flacco(Image: AP)
On Wednesday, Stefanski revealed that Sanders was not exposed to the same treatment. "With a young quarterback, with Dillon starting, you want to make sure he gets a lot of the reps," Stefanski told reporters. "It's different when you have a veteran with Joe."
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Sanders has remained patient throughout and posted a statement on social media. "The greatest lesson I’ve learned through it all is not to worry but to lean on and trust GOD in every situation," he wrote on X.
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"Even when I don’t know what to do, I’ve learned that GOD will always guide me. Growing up, I had access to a lot, and maybe without my understanding shaping my worldview, but I’ve realized that peace, purpose, and faith can’t be bought.
"They have to be built. True success is who you become while waiting on GOD’s timing. GOD’s pace protects what your purpose will one day require."