The Cleveland Browns can’t be certain how rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel will progress through the NFL‘s mandatory concussion protocol this week, which means they must move forward with certainty on Shedeur Sanders heading into a showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com laid out the scenario on Monday.
“Shedeur Sanders is expected to start Sunday's game vs. the Raiders in Las Vegas, and fourth-year pro Bailey Zappe will be the backup,” Cabot wrote. “Sanders, who had his house broken into during Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Ravens, will be the 42nd quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999, barring some unexpected occurrence.”
Sanders was underwhelming in his professional debut against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, connecting on just 25% of his pass attempts (4 of 16) for 47 yards and an interception. He also took two sacks and fumbled once, though the Browns recovered on that play.
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Sanders did not expect to get into the game, and Cleveland did not expect to play him. That said, he is the backup QB — a position that must always be prepared to enter a contest at a moment’s notice.
But moving into a place where he is the starter from Monday on will afford Sanders his first reps with the first-team offense all year. It will also allow the Browns offense to build a game plan around him and what he does best.
Translation: Sanders should be better against the Raiders than he was in his historically poor debut performance against the Ravens in Week 11.
Cleveland is 2-8, while Las Vegas entered halftime against the Dallas Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” down 24-9. Should the Raiders lose that game, they will also be 2-8.
Both teams are prime candidates to select a quarterback high in next year’s draft considering the performances of Sanders, Gabriel and Las Vegas starter Geno Smith through 10 games in 2025, and the loser will have the edge to claim the higher pick.
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