Shedeur Sanders takes over at QB for Browns after Dillon Gabriel injury vs. Ravens

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel exited Sunday’s Week 11 home game against the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter to be evaluated for a head injury. Shedeur Sanders has replaced him under center, making his NFL debut.

Shedeur SZN pic.twitter.com/DPqGunlxa3

— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2025

Sanders received a raucous ovation from the crowd at Huntington Bank Field upon entering the game. It’ll be the Sanders show for the remainder of the second half, as Gabriel has been officially ruled out with a concussion. Gabriel completed 7-of-10 passes for 68 yards before leaving the game.

Sanders, the 2025 fifth-round selection out of Colorado, began the season as the third quarterback on Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart. After Joe Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, Sanders became the backup to Gabriel, who has started the last six games.

Sanders completed his first career pass to wide receiver Cedric Tillman for a five-yard gain. He was sacked two plays later and on the following drive, threw an interception to cornerback Nate Wiggins. The Browns currently have a 16-10 lead over the Ravens, looking to pull off the upset and improve to 3-7 on the season.

Shedeur Sanders era has arrived in Cleveland

Sanders, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, was widely expected to come off the board in Round 1 of this year’s NFL Draft. He finished his first preseason in Cleveland completing 17-of-29 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He was sacked seven times.

Sanders has been waiting for his opportunity to play. He said in September he felt he was “ready to play right now.” 

“I know for sure, I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I’m capable of doing better than that,” Sanders said.

Sanders is now getting that chance. Head coach Kevin Stefanski will have some decisions to make moving forward.