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Browns Make Shedeur Sanders Decision After Deshaun Watson News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Nov 17, 2025 6:06 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns dropped their third straight game in Week 11, falling to 2–8 on the 2025 NFL season after a 23–16 loss to Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Now the Browns will look to snap the skid in Week 12 as they turn their attention to a matchup with Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sanders made his NFL debut against the Ravens after fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel left early with a head injury and was placed in concussion protocol. Sanders struggled in his first professional action, completing 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards and an interception. But with Gabriel and Deshaun Watson still recovering, the former Colorado quarterback has been rumored as the potential starter for Cleveland in Week 12.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) warms up before an NFL gameDavid Reginek-Imagn Images

Watson suffered a torn Achilles during the 2024 season and then sustained a setback in January, keeping him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list for Cleveland’s first 10 games of 2025. Although he is nearing a return, the Browns chose not to open his practice window ahead of the matchup with the Raiders, leaving him sidelined once again.

And with Watson still out of practice and Gabriel in concussion protocol, Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported that Sanders now has a 99.9% chance to make his first NFL start, with Bailey Zappe expected to serve as his backup.

"The #Browns will not open Deshaun Watson's practice window this week, league source says," Cabot wrote on X. "It means that in addition to Shedeur Sanders making his first #NFL start vs. the #Raiders (99.9% happening), Bailey Zappe will be the backup."

The #Browns will not open Deshaun Watson's practice window this week, league source says. It means that in addition to Shedeur Sanders making his first #NFL start vs. the #Raiders (99.9% happening), Bailey Zappe will be the backup.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 17, 2025