Just two weeks ago, the San Francisco 49ers likely believed they’d be facing rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel when they traveled to Cleveland to face the Browns in Week 13.
But after an encouraging start from fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders — in which he completed 11 of 20 passes for 209 yards, a touchdown, and an interception — the Browns elected to keep Sanders in the starting lineup despite Gabriel being cleared from concussion protocol.
That one start was enough to convince the Browns to want to see more of Sanders, and his six-game audition starts Sunday against the 49ers.
“Sanders has the opportunity not only to start again Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers but also to play well enough to continue earning starts for the rest of this season,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote.
“The Browns are open to giving Sanders an extended look for the rest of this season, just as fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel got in the first half of this season, sources told ESPN on Saturday. But much of that decision will be dictated by how Sanders plays, starting Sunday.”
Deommodore Lenoir Puts Shedeur on Notice
GettyCleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders will start against the 49ers on Sunday
All eyes will be on Sanders in Sunday’s game.
After putting forth a strong performance against the struggling Las Vegas Raiders last weekend, Sanders will get another favorable matchup this week against a 49ers defense that ranks 21st in the NFL (342.7 yards allowed per game).
San Francisco also has one of the worst pass defenses in the league, allowing the seventh-most yards per game (241.8). Even more good news for Sanders: the 49ers have a league-low 13 sacks and their 5 interceptions are tied for the fourth-fewest. They’ve also allowed multiple touchdown passes in seven of 12 games this season.
But despite the team’s issues defending the pass, star cornerback Deommodore Lenoir sent a clear warning to the rookie QB ahead of his first start in front of his home fans.
“Deommodore Lenoir said ‘Look, Shedeur Sanders we know he is going to be the attention, but this a losing team. We plan to attack our keys, jump on them and hopefully by halftime they’ll want to go inside and not want to play anymore,’” NFL Network’s Cam Wolfe reported.
49ers Make Roster Moves Ahead of Week 13
San Francisco has arguably been hit harder by injuries than any other team in the NFL.
Linebacker Tatum Bethune and defensive tackle Sam Okuayinonu have both been ruled out for Sunday’s game, while defensive ends Nick Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos, Mykel Williams, and Tarron Jackson, linebacker Fred Warner, cornerbacks Jakob Robinson and Tre Tomlinson are all on injured reserve.
To beef up the front seven against Cleveland, the 49ers signed linebacker Eric Kendricks, who spurned the team in free agency two seasons ago to sign with the Dallas Cowboys, to the practice squad and released LB Stone Blanton.
A 10-year NFL veteran, Kendricks, a former Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro, totaled 138 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery with the Cowboys last season. He was Dallas’ leading tackler.
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