Jacob Camenker, USA TODAYSun, November 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM UTC·3 min readThe Cleveland Browns are gearing up for a Week 12 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders that could go a long way toward determining the order atop the 2025 NFL Draft.
It will also give NFL fans their first look at how Shedeur Sanders will fare as an NFL starting quarterback.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSanders is expected to start against the Raiders, marking the first time he will get to do so in regular-season action. The 23-year-old will be Cleveland's third different starting quarterback of 2025, joining Joe Flacco – who has since been traded to the Cincinnati Bengals – and Dillon Gabriel.
Here's what to know about Sanders' opportunity and what the ever-changing Cleveland quarterback room will look like in Week 12.
Shedeur Sanders paces the sideline prior to entering the game for Dillon Gabriel against the Baltimore Ravens.
Shedeur Sanders stepped into the Browns' Week 11 game against the Ravens after halftime, when starter Dillon Gabriel was evaluated for a concussion and later ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
Shedeur Sanders hands the ball off to running back Quinshon Judkins.
Shedeur Sanders scrambles for yards against the Baltimore Ravens. Sanders finished the game with three carries for 16 yards on the ground.
Shedeur Sanders dives for a gain past Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman.
Shedeur Sanders is sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Teddye Buchanan.
Shedeur Sanders is sacked by the Baltimore Ravens' Keyon Martin and Travis Jones.
Shedeur Sanders fumbles the ball while being tackled by Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.
Shedeur Sanders is hit by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson.
Shedeur Sanders heads back to the locker room following the Cleveland Browns' 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field.
Shedeur Sanders finished the game completing four of 16 pass attempts for 47 yards with one interception.
1 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders paces the sideline prior to entering the game for Dillon Gabriel against the Baltimore Ravens.1 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders paces the sideline prior to entering the game for Dillon Gabriel against the Baltimore Ravens.2 / 11Every Browns starting quarterback since 1999: Joe Flacco, Tim Couch, Baker Mayfield
Shedeur Sanders stepped into the Browns' Week 11 game against the Ravens after halftime, when starter Dillon Gabriel was evaluated for a concussion and later ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
3 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders hands the ball off to running back Quinshon Judkins.4 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders scrambles for yards against the Baltimore Ravens. Sanders finished the game with three carries for 16 yards on the ground.5 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders dives for a gain past Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman.6 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders is sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Teddye Buchanan.7 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders is sacked by the Baltimore Ravens' Keyon Martin and Travis Jones.8 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders fumbles the ball while being tackled by Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.9 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders is hit by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson.10 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders heads back to the locker room following the Cleveland Browns' 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field.11 / 11Shedeur Sanders finally makes his anticipated NFL debut, but rookie QB struggles in loss
Shedeur Sanders finished the game completing four of 16 pass attempts for 47 yards with one interception.
Is Shedeur Sanders playing today?
Yes, Sanders is expected to make his first-ever NFL start in the Browns' road game against the Raiders. The fifth-round rookie will get a chance to start in place of Gabriel, who is missing the Week 12 matchup as he remains in the NFL's concussion protocol.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSanders will become the fifth quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft class to make a start during his rookie season, joining Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Gabriel.
Shedeur Sanders stats
Sanders made his official NFL debut in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens. He relieved the injured Gabriel at halftime and struggled in his first extensive action since being selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Below is a look at Sanders' stats from Week 11, which stands as his only regular-season NFL action to date:
Completion rate: 4 of 16 (25%)
Passing yards: 47
Passing touchdowns: 0
Interceptions: 1
Passer rating: 13.5
Sacks: 2
Carries: 3
Rushing yards: 16
Sanders performed better across two outings in the preseason. He completed 17 of 29 passes (58.6%) for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 19 yards on four carries but was sacked a whopping seven times in his limited action.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementShedeur Sanders stats in college
Sanders enjoyed a standout final season in college while playing for his father at Colorado. He completed 74% of his passes for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his final season with the Buffaloes and finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting thanks to his performance.
Who is Shedeur Sanders' backup?
With Sanders starting and Gabriel out of action, the Browns are set to turn to Bailey Zappe – a fourth-round pick by the New England Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft – as the team's backup quarterback.
Zappe has a 4-5 career record as a starter and has completed 62.1% of his passes for 2,223 yards, 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He most recently started in the Browns' Week 18 game to close the 2024 NFL season. The Western Kentucky product completed 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown in a 35-10 loss.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBrowns QB depth chart
The Browns will dress just two quarterbacks for Sunday's game with Gabriel out of action. Below is a look at the pecking order within the unit:
Shedeur Sanders
Bailey Zappe
The Browns will once again be three-deep at quarterback once Gabriel is cleared to return from the NFL's concussion protocol. It isn't clear whether he will immediately retake the starting job or if Sanders will be given a chance to continue starting if he performs well against the Raiders.
Cleveland also has Deshaun Watson in the organization, but the 30-year-old veteran isn't expected to play in 2025 after tearing his Achilles twice in a three-month span at the end of the 2024 season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Shedeur Sanders the starting QB today for the Browns?
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