Shedeur Sanders got his first taste of NFL action on Sunday when he came in for the concussed Dillon Gabriel.
Whether the Cleveland Browns’ rookie will start next week depends on Gabriel’s health. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Shedeur Sanders will start against the Las Vegas Raiders if Gabriel hasn’t cleared concussion protocols.
Sanders was far from impressive in his NFL debut, completing just four of his 16 pass attempts for 47 yards. He also threw an interception and was sacked twice.
In Sanders’ defense, there were a number of factors working against him. Of course, there were all the nerves that come with making an NFL debut, and those nerves only intensify when you’re unexpectedly thrust into a close game.
What’s more, the Browns’ coaching staff may not have been able to prepare him properly. Stefanski said after the game that Sunday’s contest was the first time Sanders had gotten snaps with the starting offense since he was drafted.
If he’s under center next week, it will presumably go better since the coaching staff will have prepared an offense designed around Sanders.
Gabriel, who was taken in the third round of this year’s draft, hasn’t exactly had an outstanding rookie season. In seven games, he’s thrown for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He took over as Cleveland’s starter in October, and the Browns have gone 1-5 with him under center.
The Browns’ playoff hopes are already shot as the team sits at 2-8, so they don’t have much to lose moving forward. Cleveland could give both Gabriel and Sanders reps under center to help their development, but it sounds like Gabriel will start if he’s healthy.
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