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Browns Announce Shedeur Sanders Development on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Nov 3, 2025 1:33 PM ET

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the talk of the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders had an incredible collegiate career, most notably his two years under his father, Deion Sanders, with the Colorado Buffaloes. Because of his success in college, Sanders was predicted to be one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.

However, he fell to the fifth round, when Cleveland selected Sanders with the 144th overall pick. In his senior year with Colorado, the Tyler, Texas, native led all FBS quarterbacks with a 74% completion rate to go along with 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He also ran for four more scores.

With these incredible stats, Sanders won the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.

Despite his accomplishments in college, Sanders began this season as the Browns' third-string quarterback behind veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel took over as the starter for Flacco in Week 5, then Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals. Sanders then moved up to the backup.

Despite his move on the depth chart, Sanders has yet to see the field through Cleveland's first eight games. In the Browns' last game against the New England Patriots on Oct. 26, Sanders was inactive due to a back injury.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) after the game against the Baltimore Ravens.Peter Casey-Imagn Images

On Monday, with the Browns coming off a bye week, head coach Kevin Stefanski gave an update on Sanders' injury.

"Shedeur still dealing with back injury, but getting better," Stefanski said, according to ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi.

This is a promising sign for Sanders, who is still looking to make his NFL debut. While he hasn't played in the regular season yet, Sanders did make appearances in the preseason.

He was 17-of-29 passing for 152 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers. He also ran four times for 19 yards.

Stefanski did not say whether Sanders would be active when the Browns take on the New York Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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