By Sam Jane and Zac Jackson
-The Athletic
Nov. 16, 2025
Updated 7:35 pm EST
Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut in the third quarter of Cleveland’s Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sanders replaced quarterback Dillon Gabriel after Gabriel exited the game and was later ruled out with a concussion. Sanders, the Browns’ fifth-round pick in April, completed two passes for 12 yards on his first drive but was sacked on third down and fumbled. The Browns recovered the fumble and punted. Sanders’ second drive also ended quickly when Baltimore’s Nate Wiggins intercepted him.
On the sack of Sanders, the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton mimicked the rookie’s signature celebration.
(2) Baltimore Ravens on X: "KYLE HAMILTON SACKS SHEDEUR SANDERS. Tune in on CBS. https://t.co/DoPoMljqZt" / X
Fans have called for Sanders to play during the Browns’ recent offensive struggles. After Gabriel missed rookie tight end Harold Fannin on an out route in the first half, boos rained down at Huntington Bank Field. When Sanders checked in, fans cheered so loudly that the Browns’ offensive line had to step out of the huddle to ask the stadium to quiet down.
Sanders took no reps in the spring or summer with the No. 1 offense and has taken none in practice since being promoted to the backup quarterback role ahead of Week 6. So, his first regular-season action was the first time he worked with Cleveland’s starting offense.
The Browns’ offense has sputtered no matter who’s been at quarterback. Gabriel’s gone just 1-4 as a starter. But even after the Browns’ Week 10 loss to the New York Jets, coach Kevin Stefanski said he was sticking with Gabriel as the team’s starting quarterback.
“We’re committed to getting better as an offense,” Stefanski said when asked if Sanders would get any chances. “Dillon is certainly committing to improving every which way he can. And all the while, all of our players, young players, are developing and working so hard behind the scenes to make sure that they’re getting better on a daily basis.”
Trailing 23-16 with just over two minutes to play, Sanders had a chance to lead the Browns’ offense late. He began the drive with a 25-yard strike to Fannin, putting Cleveland in Baltimore territory. However, the Browns stalled and Sanders failed to convert on a fourth-down pass to David Njoku from the Ravens’ 25-yard line.
Sanders finished the game 4-of-16 for 47 yards and an interception. He was also sacked by Baltimore twice as the Browns fell to 2-8 on the season.
-The Athletic
Nov. 16, 2025
Updated 7:35 pm EST
Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut in the third quarter of Cleveland’s Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sanders replaced quarterback Dillon Gabriel after Gabriel exited the game and was later ruled out with a concussion. Sanders, the Browns’ fifth-round pick in April, completed two passes for 12 yards on his first drive but was sacked on third down and fumbled. The Browns recovered the fumble and punted. Sanders’ second drive also ended quickly when Baltimore’s Nate Wiggins intercepted him.
On the sack of Sanders, the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton mimicked the rookie’s signature celebration.
(2) Baltimore Ravens on X: "KYLE HAMILTON SACKS SHEDEUR SANDERS. Tune in on CBS. https://t.co/DoPoMljqZt" / X
Fans have called for Sanders to play during the Browns’ recent offensive struggles. After Gabriel missed rookie tight end Harold Fannin on an out route in the first half, boos rained down at Huntington Bank Field. When Sanders checked in, fans cheered so loudly that the Browns’ offensive line had to step out of the huddle to ask the stadium to quiet down.
Sanders took no reps in the spring or summer with the No. 1 offense and has taken none in practice since being promoted to the backup quarterback role ahead of Week 6. So, his first regular-season action was the first time he worked with Cleveland’s starting offense.
The Browns’ offense has sputtered no matter who’s been at quarterback. Gabriel’s gone just 1-4 as a starter. But even after the Browns’ Week 10 loss to the New York Jets, coach Kevin Stefanski said he was sticking with Gabriel as the team’s starting quarterback.
“We’re committed to getting better as an offense,” Stefanski said when asked if Sanders would get any chances. “Dillon is certainly committing to improving every which way he can. And all the while, all of our players, young players, are developing and working so hard behind the scenes to make sure that they’re getting better on a daily basis.”
Trailing 23-16 with just over two minutes to play, Sanders had a chance to lead the Browns’ offense late. He began the drive with a 25-yard strike to Fannin, putting Cleveland in Baltimore territory. However, the Browns stalled and Sanders failed to convert on a fourth-down pass to David Njoku from the Ravens’ 25-yard line.
Sanders finished the game 4-of-16 for 47 yards and an interception. He was also sacked by Baltimore twice as the Browns fell to 2-8 on the season.
