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Shedeur Sanders throws first touchdown in Cleveland Browns preseason game

ns_headshot_2024-clearby: Nick Schultz08/08/25NickSchultz_7
Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns
© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

As the second quarter of Friday’s preseason game got underway, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders reached a milestone. He found Kaden Davis for his first NFL touchdown pass.

Sanders found Davis in the back of the end zone on the first play of the second quarter, getting the Browns on the board. The former Colorado star got the start in Friday’s preseason opener after Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel suffered injuries. Joe Flacco, listed as the starter on Cleveland’s initial depth chart, was not due to play.

Sanders started the night 6-for-11 for 40 yards, along with the touchdown. He also showed off his speed with a 10-yard rush in the first quarter of the game.

Sanders is looking to make an impression on the Browns after the franchise selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Cleveland completely overhauled the quarterback room this year, signing Flacco and trading for Pickett before drafting two rookies in Gabriel and Sanders.

Sanders is coming off an impressive senior season at Colorado in 2024 as he helped lead the Buffaloes’ turnaround. He led the nation with a 74% completion percentage as he totaled 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns.

Friday’s game also marked the first time Sanders has played a game without his father in attendance. Deion Sanders coached Shedeur in high school, at Jackson State and Colorado. Coach Prime did not attend Friday’s game as he goes through training camp in Boulder and admitted it’s different to watch on TV. That said, he had confidence Shedeur would live up to the occasion.

“It’s going to be a little weird. It’s going to be a little strange,” Deion Sanders said. “It really is. I got to admit that. But I’m praying for him, and God has set him up and placed him in the perfect position that he needs to be in. It’s going to be a problem after tonight, though. I promise you that.”

The Browns have four quarterbacks vying for the starting job this year as Deshaun Watson deals with an injury. Flacco was listed as the No. 1 quarterback on Cleveland’s first depth chart earlier this week followed by Pickett as No. 2 and Gabriel as the No. 3 quarterback on the roster. Shedeur Sanders was QB4, but got the nod for Friday’s game.