Browns to Start Shedeur Sanders at Quarterback, Coach Confirms
CLEVELAND – Shedeur Sanders is set to make his first NFL start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns this week, the team confirmed. The move comes after starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson sustained an injury,and P.J. Walker was placed on injured reserve.
Sanders, a rookie signed by the Browns this season, has been the team’s primary backup quarterback as a mid-season trade of Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati bengals. He initially began the season as the No. 3 quarterback,inactive for the first five games as the emergency QB. Sanders earned the backup role after Flacco’s departure and has been QB2 for all but one game as, missing Week 8 due to a back injury.
Sanders had limited opportunities to showcase his abilities during the preseason, completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. He also saw action in the preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams, tho he struggled, completing 3 of 6 passes for 14 yards and being sacked five times. The Browns initially held a quarterback competition in training camp featuring Flacco and Kenny Pickett, who was later traded to the Raiders.
Thompson-Robinson ranks 32nd out of 33 qualifying quarterbacks in Total QBR (30.9), ahead of only Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward.The Browns were 1-4 in games Thompson-Robinson started before his injury.
“I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope,” Sanders said. ”and I would be doing a disservice to myself and a disservice to the organization if I didn’t feel like I am the guy. I did everything I need to. I’m doing everything I need to prepare to be the best version of myself as possible.”
“With the circumstances, everything got to be sped up and that’s great. I like pressure in life.I’m just excited for everything. So, I feel like I’m the guy.I know I’m the guy,but you just have to be able to see.”
