CLEVELAND — Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his NFL debut Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, coming on in the opening possession of the second half as fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel was being evaluated for a concussion.
Gabriel, who had started the previous five games, played the entire first half, completing 7-of-10 passes for 68 yards. He also ran twice for 2 yards as Cleveland took a 16-10 lead into the half.
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Gabriel was officially ruled out due to the concussion later in the third quarter.
It’s not clear what play led to Gabriel’s evaluation for a concussion. But after defensive end Myles Garrett’s fourth sack of the game forced a Ravens punt on the opening drive of the second half, Sanders led the offense onto the field as the crowd at Huntington Bank Field broke out into cheers.
During the first half, fans broke out “We Want Shedeur” chants and booed after multiple errant Gabriel passes.
Sanders completed his first two passes, to wide receiver Cedric Tillman and tight end David Njoku, but was sacked on third down, forcing Cleveland to punt. He later threw an interception.
Sanders, viewed by some as a first-round pick, notably fell in April’s NFL draft, with Cleveland ultimately taking him with the 144th pick in the fifth round. He began his NFL career as the No. 4 quarterback on the Browns’ depth chart. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, he made his way to the backup role after the Browns traded veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco.
