The Cleveland Browns could be starting Shedeur Sanders this week due to Dillon Gabriel being in concussion protocol.
Sanders got into his first NFL game on Sunday as Gabriel was in concussion protocol at halftime. The rookie quarterback entered the game with plenty of cheers from Browns fans, but he struggled.
Now, as Sanders could get his first career start, Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot believes the rookie quarterback should have remained the third quarterback.
“If Sanders were a high pick or a young veteran, he might be able to step in and function effectively without those starting reps,” Cabot wrote. “But he fell to the fifth round in part because he had a long way to go in terms of operating a pro-style offense. He’s made tremendous strides over the past seven months. But he still has a steep learning curve to handle all that defenses will throw at him.
“In fact, I felt he’d be better served by remaining the emergency third quarterback and not playing until he had a full week of work with the ones and a gameplan designed to showcase his dropback skillset and elite accuracy. The Browns obviously believe he’s superior to fourth-year pro Bailey Zappe and deserved QB2 status. But Zappe, 4-5 as a starter, may have been better suited to come off the bench cold and run the starter’s gameplan with no first-team reps.”
Cabot believes Zappe should have been the backup last week and the one who entered the game, especially since Sanders had no first-team reps.
Sanders Was Disappointed With His First NFL Outing
Although Sanders still hadn’t had a first-team rep when he entered the game on Sunday, he was frustrated with his performance.
Sanders felt like he played poorly and said his outing was rough. He felt like he should have made more plays.
“I think you’ve seen it was just rough overall,” Sanders said on Sunday. “It was a rough day overall. But the thing that I was excited about is just being able to get out there. It’s the first time I got hit, like since my last game at Colorado.
“So just having that feeling back, is good. And I feel fulfilled overall when it comes to being out there practicing. Going in between the lines, seeing actually what it’s like. And I know I’m made for it.”
Sanders went 4-of-16 for 47 yards and an interception.
Sanders is ‘Thankful’ For Browns Fans’ Support
As Sanders entered the game, Browns fans were cheering for the rookie quarterback.
Although Sanders said the focus should have been on Gabriel and his health, the rookie was thankful for all the support he got.
“Yeah, I’m extremely thankful. … But I’m thankful for the supporters, thankful for the fans, thankful for everybody out there that believes. And yeah, when I got out there, I definitely felt them, and I’m truly thankful for it,” Sanders said.
“I’m just thankful that I’m out here, I’m thankful for the opportunity. Thankful seeing all them 12 jerseys out there, and it was a great feeling for that. But the feeling of losing, that ain’t nothing we going to get comfortable with, like, on my watch, for sure.”
If Gabriel can’t clear concussion protocol, Sanders is in line to start on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
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