By Michael GallagherShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberAfter being thrown into the fire with little preparation and zero reps with the first-team unit, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is making his highly anticipated first career start Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who assumed the starting role after Cleveland traded Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals after a 34-10 Week 4 loss to the Detroit Lions, is still in concussion protocol, leaving Sanders as the only healthy QB on the roster.
So it was no surprise the team needed to add another signal-caller to back up Sanders on Sunday, which is why the Browns announced they elevated Bailey Zappe from the practice squad to the 53-man roster less than 24 hours before the Raiders matchup.
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It’s Zappe’s second elevation this season. He backed up Gabriel back in Week 8 against the New England Patriots when Sanders was inactive because of a back injury. The 26-year-old Zappe started one game for the Browns in 2024, throwing for 170 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has stated once Gabriel clears concussion protocol he will get his starting job back, but some aren’t convinced that’s set ins tone if Sanders has a strong performance against the Raiders.
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The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on Saturday that Sanders is feverishly preparing for his Week 12 start, impressing the coaching staff with his commitment to getting extra 1-on-1 coaching sessions and endless film study.
“Sanders has done everything possible to prepare, I’ve been told,” she wrote. “He’s not in the league simply to fill a roster spot; he’s here to make a statement. Sunday isn’t just a first start. It’s Sanders’ opportunity to rewrite the narrative, and he’s determined to do just that — even if not many people believe he’ll be able to do it.
“… One staffer told me they’ve seen him in the cafeteria, tray in front of him, iPad out, dissecting Raiders tape as if his career depended on it. Because, in many ways, it does.”
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