The Cleveland Browns have made a quarterback move ahead of the team’s Week 12 clash against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Browns elevated Bailey Zappe from the practice squad to serve as the backup to Shedeur Sanders, who is drawing the first start of his career. Zappe has spent the entirety of the season on the practice squad but has some experience if his number is called. He has nine starts on his resume over three NFL seasons, the majority of those coming with the New England Patriots. Zappe — a former fourth-round pick — has passed for 2,223 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions over his career.
He spent part of last season with the Browns and even started the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. He completed 51% of his passes in that game for 170 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. The Browns lost 35-10.
Zappe was with the Kansas City Chiefs in the preseason, completing 15 of 27 passes for 104 yards with two interceptions in three games.
Dillon Gabriel has started the last five games for the Browns but was ruled out with a concussion. He suffered a concussion last week against the Ravens, exiting at the half. Gabriel practiced on Friday but has not been cleared from concussion protocol.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Prepared for First Start
Sanders completed just four passes for 47 yards and an interception in his first NFL action against the Ravens. But the rookie passer has been working relentlessly this week to get ready for his first start. Sanders doesn’t just want to be serviceable — he wants to make a statement, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
“One staffer told me they’ve seen him in the cafeteria, tray in front of him, iPad out, dissecting Raiders tape as if his career depended on it. Because, in many ways, it does.
Sanders has done everything possible to prepare, I’ve been told,” Russini said. “He’s not in the league simply to fill a roster spot; he’s here to make a statement. Sunday isn’t just a first start. It’s Sanders’ opportunity to rewrite the narrative, and he’s determined to do just that — even if not many people believe he’ll be able to do it.”
Sanders appeared twice in the preseason. He looked sharp in a preseason start against the Carolina Panthers, passing for 152 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was inserted in the second half of the Browns’ preseason finale against the Los Angeles Rams and completed just 3-of-6 for 14 yards. Sanders was sacked five times in that game.
Shedeur Sanders Wants to be ‘The Guy’ for Browns
The Browns have said Gabriel will return to his starting post when cleared to play. But Sanders can make that decision a difficult one if he performs well against the Raiders.
In his four-plus games, Gabriel has done little to prove he can be the long-term answer in Cleveland at quarterback. He’s passed for just 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions this season.
Sanders is trying to make a statement in his first start that he can be “the guy” moving forward.
“I know our fans have a lot of expectations and hope, and I would be doing a disservice to myself and disservice to the organization if I didn’t feel like I am the guy,” Sanders said. “I’m doing everything I need to prepare to be the best version of myself as possible. With the circumstances, everything got me sped up, and that’s great – you know, 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. The game got to speak.”
Sanders and the Browns are a four-point underdog against the 2-8 Raiders.
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