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Raiders Player Awaiting Punishment Decision on Shedeur Sanders Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Nov 23, 2025 7:07 PM ET

Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns hit the road for a Week 12 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Each team entered the game 2-8, looking for just their third win of the season.

It's also Sanders' first career start, filling in for fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who suffered a concussion in the Browns' Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

During Cleveland's first drive of the fourth quarter, he threw an incomplete pass on first and 10. However, instead of facing a second down, Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler was flagged for roughing the passer.

The 15-yard penalty gave the Browns a fresh set of downs. They ended the drive with a 53-yard field goal to give them a 17-3 lead.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Along with the penalty, Butler could receive additional punishment for his hit on Sanders. According to the NFL's rules guidelines, a player can be fined $17,389 for roughing the passer, and can increase to $23,186 for a second offense in the same season.

Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa was the only player fined for a roughing the passer call in Week 11. He received a punishment of $17,389 for his hit on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Interestingly, Butler was fined $9,653 last season for a roughing the passer penalty, also coming against the Browns, according to Spotrac.

No matter what the NFL's decision is, Butler and the Raiders will move on and play the 7-4 Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13.

As for the recipient of his hit, Sanders and Cleveland face the 7-4 San Francisco 49ers at home. However, it will remain to be seen if he's still the starting quarterback depending on Gabriel's health.

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

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