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ESPN Cleveland reporter claims Shedeur Sanders 'isn't even running scout team' in Browns practice

Danby: Daniel Hager09/11/25DanielHagerOn3
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© Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns opened their 2025 season last Sunday with a devastating 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in a game in which they held Cincinnati to just seven net yards of offense in the second half. However, the Browns fell to 0-1 ahead of their second game against Baltimore this Sunday.

Browns quarterback Joe Flacco looked more than serviceable, passing for 290 yards and one touchdown in the loss. He threw two interceptions, but both were deflected by receivers into Bengals players hands. Due to his strong start, there is currently no rush to see backup Dillon Gabriel see some run as Cleveland’s QB1.

Behind Gabriel sits quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in all of college football last season at Colorado. Sanders made the team as QB3 and is one of four quarterbacks on the roster, also joined by Bailey Zappe on the practice squad.

Tony Rizzo claims Sanders isn’t even running scout team

Although Sanders is on the 53-man roster, ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Rizzo claimed on Thursday that Sanders is not even running scout team. This led him to wonder why he’s on the roster at all.

“Shedeur is not even running scout team,” Rizzo said. “He’s literally watching everyone play. Bailey Zappe is running scout team… I don’t know if that’s true but that’s what I’m hearing. Why is he on the team? Why is he here? If that’s what you think about him or if it’s because his jersey is selling, the Haslams don’t need jersey money, do they?

“Why is he on the team if he isn’t even running scout team? I’d love to ask them. Today if [Kevin] Stefanski‘s day to cop out, which I love. Somebody better ask (offensive coordinator) Tommy Rees whether or not Shedeur is running scout team or not. Because I heard he’s not.”

Shedeur played in two preseason games for Cleveland

Over the course of two preseason games, Sanders completed 17/29 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He was, however, sacked seven times.

The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in the Fifth Round of the 2025 NFL Draft after he spent two seasons at Colorado. There, he was named the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner after passing for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He, along with Heisman Trophy-winning teammate Travis Hunter, had their jerseys retired at the University prior to the 2025 season.

We will have to just wait and see whether or not Stefanski addresses this report at some point before Cleveland’s week two game. The Browns and Ravens kick at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.