Browns Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders to Get Valuable Practice Reps This Week

Sanders' NFL debut against Ravens shows room for improvement, but coaches trust him to continue developing

Apr. 20, 2026 at 2:27am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a quarterback's throwing motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the Browns' team colors of orange, brown, silver, and black.Shedeur Sanders' uneven NFL debut highlights the challenges of transitioning from college to the pros, but the Browns remain committed to developing their young quarterback.NYC Today

Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was thrust into action in the second half of Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, going 4-of-16 for 47 yards with an interception. While the performance was shaky, the Browns coaching staff is confident Sanders will improve with more practice reps this week as he prepares for a potential first NFL start against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Why it matters

Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, was a fifth-round draft pick who has yet to see significant practice time with the first-team offense. His performance against the Ravens exposed some of the traits that caused him to drop in the draft, but the Browns believe he has the potential to develop into their long-term starting quarterback if given the opportunity.

The details

Sanders struggled with pocket presence and decision-making in his NFL debut, taking unnecessary sacks and throws instead of throwing the ball away. However, the Browns coaching staff noted that Sanders had not taken any first-team reps in practice, making the transition difficult. This week, with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel in concussion protocol, Sanders will get valuable practice time to build rapport with the starting receivers and offensive line.

  • On Sunday, Sanders made his NFL debut in the second half against the Baltimore Ravens.
  • This Sunday, the Browns will face the Las Vegas Raiders, with Sanders potentially making his first NFL start.

The players

Shedeur Sanders

A fifth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns and the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.

Kevin Stefanski

The head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Dillon Gabriel

The Browns' starting rookie quarterback who is currently in concussion protocol.

Wyatt Teller

A guard for the Cleveland Browns.

Myles Garrett

The All-Pro defensive end for the Cleveland Browns who has a league-leading 15 sacks this season.

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What they’re saying

“I think you learn from every single play that you're out there and there's always lessons to be learned. There's always going to be good and there's always going to be bad. And that's just part of playing and getting reps. And then part of learning is taking all those coaching points that come with those reps.”

— Kevin Stefanski, Head Coach, Cleveland Browns

“The starter gets the vast majority, obviously, if not the entire majority. I will say this: We trust our players. Shedeur is putting in great work. You know, on the field, in the meeting room, he will be better with reps that he's getting. Like any player would better. But we trust him and he's somebody that's continued to put in the work and will continue to do so.”

— Kevin Stefanski, Head Coach, Cleveland Browns

What’s next

The Browns will monitor Dillon Gabriel's concussion protocol this week, and if he is unable to play, Shedeur Sanders will likely make his first NFL start against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

The takeaway

This week's practices will be crucial for Shedeur Sanders to build chemistry with the Browns' starting offense and continue his development as the team's potential long-term quarterback. While his NFL debut was shaky, the Browns coaching staff remains confident in his abilities and is committed to giving him the opportunity to prove himself.