Jacob Camenker, USA TODAYSun, November 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM UTC·3 min readShedeur Sanders began his time with the Cleveland Browns as the No. 4 quarterback on the team's depth chart after being a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In Week 12, Sanders will be the team's top dog and will get a chance to make his first career NFL start against the Las Vegas Raiders.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSanders' opportunity comes as Cleveland's regular starting quarterback, fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, deals with a concussion. The Oregon product missed the second half of Cleveland's Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens because of the injury, which allowed Sanders to take over in relief of him.
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.
Sanders struggled after being thrown into the fire. He completed just 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards while tossing an interception and taking two sacks in Cleveland's 23-16 loss.
The Colorado product will look to perform better against the Raiders with extra preparation. Meanwhile, the Browns get an opportunity to evaluate another young quarterback after trading veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett as the team searches for a long-term solution at the NFL's most important position.
Here's a look at how the Browns' quarterback depth chart will stack up for Sunday and for the rest of the 2025 NFL season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIs Shedeur Sanders starting Week 12?
Yes, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski announced Sanders would get a chance to start in Week 12 with Gabriel remaining in the NFL's concussion protocol.
"Dillon is still in the concussion protocol," Stefanski said. "He is improving, but obviously we gotta put a plan together for all of our players, all of our offense, defense or special teams. Plan of attack. Give our guys a chance to go execute and play fast."
The start will be the first of Sanders' career. He will become the fifth quarterback from the 2025 NFL Draft class to make a start, alongside Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Gabriel.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWho is Shedeur Sanders' backup?
Bailey Zappe is expected to back up Sanders during Week 12. The 26-year-old was a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots but has bounced around to three different teams during his NFL career.
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.
Browns QB depth chart
The Browns currently have three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster and practice squad, but just two will be healthy enough to dress Sunday. Below is a look at the unit's pecking order.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDillon Gabriel (injured)
Shedeur Sanders
Bailey Zappe (practice squad)
The Browns also have Deshaun Watson on their physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The 30-year-old isn't expected to play in 2025 after tearing his Achilles twice in a span of three months.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Browns QB depth chart: Who is Shedeur Sanders' backup?
AdvertisementAdvertisement
