Shedeur Sanders stats, highlights vs. Panthers: Browns rookie shines with 2 TDs in preseason debut

Gilbert McGregor

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Shedeur Sanders stats, highlights vs. Panthers: Browns rookie shines with 2 TDs in preseason debut image

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The football world had its eyes on the bright lights of Bank of America Stadium on Friday as Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders made his professional debut in a preseason contest with the Panthers.

It wasn't just another preseason game for Sanders, as the 23-year-old was Cleveland's starter when the team took the field in Charlotte, N.C. While he's listed as QB4 on the depth chart, the fourth-round pick was named QB1 for preseason Week 1 on Wednesday with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel unavailable for the game.

Sanders has ground to make up in the quarterback competition, but he had a golden opportunity to do so against a Panthers team that played some of its starters for around a dozen plays. While stars Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn didn't take the field, Carolina had several defenders looking to make good impressions — and earn a job on the 53-man roster.

Friday's game was a big test for Sanders and an opportunity for him to show and prove after the Browns reportedly plan to keep four QBs on their roster when the regular season begins.

MORE SHEDEUR SANDERS:

The Sporting News tracked Sanders' performance, as well as the best moments and highlights from Friday night in the Queen City.

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Browns vs. Panthers score

 1234Final
Browns0147930
Panthers700310

Shedeur Sanders stats today

  • Comp/Att: 14-23
  • Yards: 138
  • TD: 2
  • INT: 0
  • Rating: 106.8
  • Rush attempts: 4
  • Rush yards: 19

Shedeur Sanders highlights from Browns vs. Panthers preseason game

(All times Eastern.)

End of third quarter: Browns 21, Panthers 7

9:23 p.m.: And that will do it for Shedeur Sanders.

After a three-and-out from the Panthers, Tyler Huntley steps on the field to lead Cleveland's offense for the remainder of the game. 

Sanders' day ends with 14 completions for 138 yards and two passing touchdowns.

9:14 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!

On fourth-and-2, Gage Larvadain scampers for four yards and the Browns convert on a short field after an interception from Andy Dalton.

The 43-yard drive was highlighted by a smooth 25-yard pass from Sanders to Brenden Bates.

Sanders is up to 138 yards in the game.

9:07 p.m.: It's another three-and-out for the Browns.

Shedeur Sanders goes 1-of-2 on the drive and penalties plague Cleveland. His one completion was an eight-yard grab by Sal Cannella on third-and-17.

8:53 p.m.: Shedeur Sanders' first drive of the second half isn't as fruitful as his first-half showing.

Sanders failed to connect on his only pass attempt and was sacked for a loss of five yards on third-and-7.

Another three-and-out for the Browns.

Halftime: Browns 14, Panthers 7

8:30 p.m.: One half is in the books, and Shedeur Sanders looked increasingly comfortable with time.

Sanders' first half of pro football includes 11 completions for 103 yards and two passing touchdowns.

He's also looked poised in the pocket and was able to use his legs to pick up 20 yards on the ground.

8:23 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!

Shedeur Sanders throws his second touchdown of the night, finding Kaden Davis again.

The PAT is good! And Cleveland has a seven-point lead with 1:04 remaining in the half.

Browns 14, Panthers 7

8:19 p.m.: Shedeur Sanders has a hand in the play of the night, thanks in large part to an impressive grab from Luke Floriea.

A rolling Sanders connected on a 30-yard completion with Floreia, who was pushed out of bounds at Carolina's 32-yard line right before the two-minute warning.

8:08 p.m.: After starting on their own 6-yard line, Shedeur Sanders and the Browns pick up two first downs before the drive ends on the 33.

Sanders completed two passes for 23 yards and scrambled twice for a total of 10 yards.

A 19-yard completion on third-and-8 is one of Sanders' best plays today.

7:47 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN!

Shedeur Sanders rolls out in play action and finds Kaden Davis in the corner of the end zone for six.

Cleveland converts the PAT and things are tied in Carolina.

Panthers 7, Browns 7

End of first quarter: Panthers 7, Browns 0

7:45 p.m.: At the end of one quarter, Carolina leads, 7-0.

Shedeur Sanders has completed five passes for 33 yards. He and the Cleveland offense will open the second frame from Carolina's 7-yard line on a 2nd-and-goal situation.

7:42 p.m.: After another Browns drive ends, they get some special teams luck in the form of a muffed punt by the Panthers.

Shedeur Sanders and company will take over from the 5-yard line in prime position to score.

7:22 p.m.: Shedeur Sanders' third drive ends with a turnover on downs.

On fourth-and-1, Sanders gets forced out of the pocket and has nowhere to go. He's forced to throw the ball away, and the Panthers will take back over from their own 26-yard line.

7:19 p.m.: On third-and-9, Shedeur Sanders decides to use his legs.

Out of a shotgun set, Sanders scrambles for 10 yards to extend Cleveland's drive. He also completed a checkdown to running back Traveyon Williams for 15 yards.

7:10 p.m.: Shedeur Sanders' first drive is a three-and-out.

After Cleveland picked up five yards on a first-down run, Sanders goes 1-for-2, picking up four yards on third down, and the Browns will punt.

6:27 p.m.: Shedeur Sanders is getting warmed up. 

Cleveland is going with the all-white uniforms and Sanders is wearing a Browns edition of the Nike DT '96, his dad's signature cleat.

4:11 p.m.: Shedeur Sanders has arrived at Bank of America Stadium.

With all eyes on him, Cleveland's rookie quarterback made his entrance wearing a Colorado backpack while one of his unreleased singles played over a booming speaker that was being rolled in.

MORE: Why Panthers' Jaycee Horn is not playing against Cleveland Friday

Browns vs. Panthers start time

  • Date: Friday, Aug. 8
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT

Friday night's game between the Browns and Panthers will kick off at 7 p.m. ET from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

What channel is Browns vs. Panthers on today?

  • TV channel (National): NFL Network
  • TV channel (Cleveland): WEWS-TV (Channel 5)
  • TV channel (Carolina): WJZY (Channel 46)
  • Live stream: Fubo

The preseason contest between the Browns and Panthers will air nationally on NFL Network. 

In the Cleveland market, fans can watch the game on their local CBS affiliate (Channel 5), while fans in the Panthers market can watch the game on Channel 46, the local Fox affiliate.

STREAM: Browns vs. Panthers LIVE in the United States on Fubo

NFL preseason schedule 2025: Week 1

Thursday, Aug. 7

GameTime (ET)TV channel/Live stream
Ravens vs. Colts7 p.m.NFL Network, Fubo
Eagles vs. Bengals7:30 p.m.Local channels
Seahawks vs. Raiders10 p.m.NFL Network, Fubo

Friday, Aug. 8

GameTime (ET)TV channel/Live stream
Falcons vs. Lions7 p.m.Local channels
Panthers vs. Browns7 p.m.NFL Network, Fubo
Patriots vs. Commanders7:30 p.m.Local channels

Saturday, Aug. 9

GameTime (ET)TV channel/Live stream
Bills vs. Giants1 p.m.NFL Network, Fubo
Vikings vs. Texans4 p.m.NFL Network, Fubo
Rams vs. Cowboys7 p.m.Local channels
Jaguars vs. Steelers7 p.m.Local channels
Buccaneers vs. Titans7:30 p.m.Local channels
Packers vs. Jets8 p.m.NFL Network, Fubo
Cardinals vs. Chiefs8 p.m.Local channels
49ers vs. Broncos8:30 p.m.Local channels

Sunday, Aug. 10

GameTime (ET)TV channel/Live stream
Bears vs. Dolphins1 p.m.NFL Network, Fubo
Chargers vs. Saints4 p.m.NFL Network, Fubo

      Gilbert McGregor

      Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.