Browns' Myles Garrett backs Shedeur Sanders after rough NFL debut

Matt Sullivan

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Browns' Myles Garrett backs Shedeur Sanders after rough NFL debut image

The Cleveland Browns lost to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11, but partway through the game, they had to turn to Shedeur Sanders after Dillon Gabriel sustained a concussion.

It was Sanders' NFL debut, and it didn't go well for the fifth-round rookie quarterback out of Colorado. He went 4-16 for 47 yards, one interception, two sacks, and one intentional grounding penalty.

After the game, Myles Garrett, who had four sacks in the close 23-16 loss, backed his rookie quarterback despite Sanders blaming himself for the loss in the locker room.

Browns' Myles Garrett defends Shedeur Sanders after rough NFL debut

"He wanted to pin it on himself," Garrett said, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, "I wouldn't allow him to do that. It's a team game."

Garrett and the Browns' defense were great against the Ravens, and other than a busted 33-yard fake tush-push touchdown from Mark Andrews, they were incredible against a tough Ravens offense.

Even though Sanders and the Browns could've won with a better offensive performance, the blame doesn't fall on Sanders's shoulders for the loss in Garrett's mind.

This was Sanders' NFL debut, and he came in partway through the game off the bench, with no experience playing in the NFL or with the Cleveland starting offense.

More: Browns predicted to replace Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders with new quarterback in 2026

Against a tough Ravens defense, Sanders' struggling wasn't a surprise. And while many will place the blame for the loss on Sanders (including Sanders himself), Garrett is backing his quarterback by emphasizing how it's a team game.

The defense could've been better. Special teams could've set up the Browns in better field position, or pinned the Ravens back further on punts or kickoffs.

There are a lot of wrinkles in a game, and while some blame does fall on Sanders, it's not entirely his fault that the Browns lost.

In Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sanders might get a shot at redemption if Gabriel remains out with a concussion. If so, not only could Sanders get his first NFL start, but he will finally get reps with the first-team offense since being drafted.

It's been a tumultuous year for Sanders since the NFL draft, and while he took blame for the loss after his rough NFL debut, Garrett, the team's leader, has his back.

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