Browns Make Dillon Gabriel Announcement After Shedeur Sanders Decision

That exact scenario unfolded in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Ravens when the Browns made the decision to have Sanders enter the game. Sanders made his NFL debut on Cleveland’s first drive of the second half after Gabriel exited with a head injury.

The Browns initially announced Gabriel would be evaluated for a concussion, then ruled him out moments later. “Injury Update | Dillon Gabriel has been ruled out,” the team posted on X.

Sanders completed his first career pass to wide receiver Cedric Tillman for five yards. A ten-yard holding penalty on the next play pushed the Browns back to 2nd and 15, where Sanders connected with tight end David Njoku for a seven-yard gain.

Facing 3rd and 8, Sanders was sacked by Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, who punctuated the play by mimicking Sanders’ signature “perfect timing” celebration. That moment effectively ended Sanders’ first in-game action of his NFL career, a brief but memorable debut under unexpected circumstances.

Sanders will continue to operate as Cleveland’s quarterback for the remainder of the game. While the Browns are all but mathematically eliminated from the NFL playoffs barring a miraculous turnaround, Sanders will finally get his opportunity to prove he belongs as a starter.

He had a strong college career at Colorado, where he played under his father, head coach Deion Sanders, and now steps into a meaningful role with a chance to showcase his potential at the professional level.