The Cleveland Browns, for the first time all season, started Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Dillon Gabriel was out with a concussion, giving Sanders his first start.
While he wasn't perfect, Sanders showed a lot of promise in his first NFL start, as he led the Browns to their third win this season. While his start went well, Kevin Stefanski and the Browns didn't decide on who would start in Week 13.
But Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the Browns are going to stick with Sanders over Gabriel, even though the latter cleared concussion protocol and would be good to go for Week 13. Sanders gets another start, and he's earned it.
Shedeur Sanders named Browns' Week 13 starrer vs. 49ers
"The browns are naming QB Shedeur Sanders as their starting QB this week against the 49ers, sources say," Rapoport reported.
This decision from the Browns comes after Sanders threw for 209 yards in Week 12 during the Browns' win over the Raiders. He had an incredible deep shot to rookie Isiah Bond, and also benefited from a long screen pass touchdown to rookie Dylan Sampson.
Cleveland has been getting a lot of production from their rookies this season, and Sanders' first start shows that he, too, can be a big contributor for the Browns.
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Sanders will now start against a much more difficult 49ers defense in Week 13, as he's going to get his first home start for the Browns.
In his first NFL start, Sanders went 11/20 for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception. But, more importantly, he took just one sack for only a three-yard loss.
Stefanski and the Browns saw enough in Week 12 that, even with Gabriel coming out of the concussion protocol, they are sticking with Sanders as the team's starter for Week 13.
This is a huge chance for Sanders, as a strong finish to the season could have the day-three quarterback earn a chance to start in 2026 and beyond for the Browns.
Sanders' starting debut in the NFL went well, and he now will look to build off of it in Week 13 against the 49ers.
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