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Shedeur Sanders smoked Panthers defense for two touchdowns in second quarter

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders torched the Carolina Panthers defense for two touchdowns as they took a 14-7 lead at halftime.
Scott Salomon|
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12)j drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium.
Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12)j drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

Welcome to the National Football League, Shedeur Sanders.

In his first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback tossed two touchdowns in the second quarter to give the Browns a 14-7 lead at the half.

Sanders went 11-of-18 for 103 yards and two touchdowns to Kaden Davis.

On the first touchdown, Sanders rolled to his left off of a designed bootleg and found Davis in the back corner of the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown. For Sanders, it was the first touchdown pass of his career, even though it doesn't count in official NFL statistics.

Just before the half Sanders would throw his second touchdown of the game, also to Davis. Sanders would hang in the pocket and find Davis, again in the back of the end zone, for a 12-yard scoring strike.

Sanders was drafted by the Browns in the fifth-round of the NFL Draft in April. As the 144th selection, he was selected two rounds after the Browns spent a third-round selection on Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel is not playing Friday night due to soreness in his hamstring.

Sanders' debut was much anticipated by fans around the NFL. There were plenty of Browns fans wearing Sanders' Cleveland jersey No. 12 or his No. 2 jersey which was recently retired by the University of Colorado this spring.

Sanders is expected to see action into the third quarter and Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he was going to play Sanders for approximately 50 offensive snaps.

Sanders is competing for a job with veterans Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and Tyler Huntley who was signed last week and Gabriel.

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Scott Salomon
SCOTT SALOMON

Scott Salomon joined On SI in April 2024, covering breaking news and analysis for various On SI channels. Scott covers the NFL, College Football, MLB, and the WNBA. Scott has been covering local and national sports for over 35 years. Scott graduated from the University of Miami School of Communication and the St. Thomas University School of Law. Scott is also a member of the PFWA and the FWAA. Follow Scott Salomon on X @ScottSalomonNFL.