Shedeur Sanders makes season debut in second half
After starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel was evaluated for a concussion during halftime, fellow rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut as he took the field for the Browns' first offensive drive of the game. Sanders has served as the backup quarterback since Week 6.
"Playing a backup quarterback role, that's tough to come in there," Stefanski said. "But we trust him. I know there are things that he's going to want to better. But that's why we work."
Since stepping into the backup quarterback role, Sanders spent time after practice in the "hungry dog" period take reps, as well as extra time in meetings to prepare for his role each Sunday. He said those periods have helped him understand the concepts when he was out on the field taking live reps.
Sanders said he learned he would step in at quarterback as the second half of the game began. He played the entirety of the second half after Gabriel was ruled out for the remainder of the game and is in concussion protocol. On his first offensive drive, Sanders found WR Cedric Tillman on a 5-yard pass for his first completion and then TE David Njoku for a 7-yard gain on his first offensive drive. Sanders later showed off his strength in a 25-yard completion to TE Harold Fannin Jr. However, as Sanders and the Browns fought to move down the field, they were not able to score in the second half of the game.
Sanders completed 4 of 16 passing attempts for 47 yards and one interception in six offensive drives. He also took two sacks for a loss of 27 yards in the second half. Sanders acknowledged after the game that he felt like he did not play his best football in the second half.
"I don't think I played good at all. I think it's a lot of things we need to look at during the week and go and just get comfortable," Sanders said. "Even throwing routes with Jerry (Jeudy) and throwing routes with all those guys. So, I think that was my first ball to him all year. But other than that, I just think overall we just got to go next week and understand so then we have a week to prepare stuff I like to do."
The Browns will follow the steps of the concussion protocol for Gabriel, and if necessary, can start Sanders if Gabriel does not clear protocol ahead of Week 12.
However, Sanders reflected on his chance to take the field against the Ravens and to play alongside the first team to gain valuable reps.
"Just going out there, seeing daylight, that's all I needed to see how they move out there," Sanders said. "Playing against a great defense, you got guys from the Pro Bowl out there, so it's exciting to see this is what it's like. I'm excited for it. So, I just got to take this one and build on it."