Shedeur Sanders Officially Set to Make First NFL Start Sunday vs. Raiders

The rookie quarterback will be under center for the Browns in Week 12.

Shedeur Sanders will start for the Browns on Sunday. / Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

It's Shedeur Sanders time in Cleveland, at least for now.

As relayed by coach Kevin Stefanski on Wednesday afternoon, the Browns will start Sanders at quarterback on Sunday against the Raiders. The decision comes as starter Dillon Gabriel continues to work through concussion protocol.

Shedeur Sanders will start Sunday vs the Raiders pic.twitter.com/FdBC5o6yPP

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 19, 2025

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"Dillon is still in the concussion protocol," Stefanski clarified. "He is improving, but obviously we've got to put a plan together for all of our players, our offense, our defense, our special teams, a plan of attack, and give our guys a chance."

Sanders’ NFL debut came last week, in relief of Gabriel, in what was an eventual 23–16 loss to the Ravens. The rookie went just 4-for-16 passing for 47 yards, an interception, and was sacked twice. He also failed to lead Cleveland on a scoring drive and finished the afternoon with a passer rating of just 13.3.

"I don't think I played good," Sanders admitted after the game. "I don't think I played good at all. I think there's a lot of things we need to look at during the week and go and just get comfortable with even throwing routes with Jerry [Jeudy] and throwing routes with all those guys. I think that was my first ball to him all year. But other than that, I just think overall, we just got to go next week and understand, so that we have a week to prepare stuff I like to do."

A fifth-round pick out of Colorado, Sanders will now have his chance—with a full week of first-team reps behind him—to lead the Cleveland offense in a regular-season game.

Kickoff between the Browns and Raiders is set for 4:05 p.m. ET from Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium.

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