Why Week 10 would be the perfect time for Browns QB Shedeur Sanders to make NFL debut 

The Cleveland Browns could miss a golden opportunity in Week 10 to get rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders some game reps.

On Wednesday, Sanders (back) returned to practice on a limited basis, and his status for Sunday's game against the New York Jets (1-7) is yet to be determined. While he's been firmly behind fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel since being drafted two rounds after him in the 2025 NFL Draft, if healthy, the rebuilding Jets would offer a perfect runway for Sanders to receive his first NFL action.

The case for Shedeur Sanders to play Week 10 vs. Jets

On Tuesday, the Jets parted with two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner and 2022 first-team All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams in separate trade-deadline transactions, making a defense that ranks No. 27 in scoring (27.6 points allowed per game) worse. A day later, 2023 All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams told reporters he had been benched, further throwing the unit into upheaval.

Gabriel has started the past four games but has shown limited upside, completing 59.4 percent of his pass attempts for 683 yards (4.9 yards per attempt), four touchdowns and two interceptions. The Browns are 1-3, averaging 17.5 points per game.

It's impossible to know from the outside what's going on behind the scenes with Sanders, but it's hard to imagine him faring much worse. If he avoids an injury setback and is active in Week 10, it makes sense to see what he can do against favorable competition.

It would be a win-win for Cleveland. If Sanders plays well, the Browns (2-6) could have an extremely valuable asset in a starting-caliber quarterback on a cost-controlled rookie fifth-round contract. And if he flops, they won't have to worry about anyone questioning why he's not on the field.

Sanders must do his part in practice the rest of the week to show that his back injury isn't a concern. But as long as Sanders is active on Sunday, the Browns would be doing themselves a disservice by not finally seeing what he has to offer.