Shedeur Sanders made his much-anticipated Cleveland Browns debut on Friday. The fifth-round rookie lived up to the hype and put together an impressive performance in a 30-10 Browns win.
Sanders completed 14-of-23 passes during the contest for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked just twice during the game and didn’t turn the ball over while playing most of the first three quarters of the game.
Sanders’ chance to start for Cleveland came as Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel missed the game due to hamstring injuries while 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco was simply held out of the game.
That opened the door for Sanders to star, while recently signed fifth-string quarterback Tyler Huntley (6-for-8 passing, 51 yards, one touchdown) also fared well.
USA TODAY Sports tracked live updates from Sanders’ Browns debut. Here’s a look at the major highlights from the contest.
Ryan Fitzgerald makes 32-yard field goal
The Panthers got on the board for the first time since the first quarter in the final two minutes of the game. Fitzgerald, a rookie kicker, was given a chance to attempt a 32-yard field goal and made it. That should put a bow on the Browns-Panthers preseason game, as Cleveland will likely take a knee, up 20 points in the final couple minutes. Browns 30, Panthers 10.
Tyler Huntley hits Cade McDonald for 6-yard touchdown
Shedeur Sanders threw two touchdowns to Kaden Davis. Tyler Huntley’s score went to Cade McDonald, who broke free on the left side of the field and waltzed untouched into the end-zone.
The Browns made the extra point to extend their lead to 23. Browns 30, Panthers 7.
Dustin Hopkins makes 23-yard field goal
Tyler Huntley got the Browns into scoring position on his first drive of the game. Hopkins capped it off with a chip-shot field goal make to extend Cleveland’s lead. Browns 23, Panthers 7.
Shedeur Sanders stats today
Below is a full look at Sanders’ stats from his preseason debut:
- Completions/Attempts: 14/23
- Passing yards: 138 yards
- Passing touchdowns: 2
- Passer rating: 106.8
- Interceptions: 0
- Fumbles (Lost): 0
- Rushing yards: 19 (four carries)
- Sacks: 2
Shedeur Sanders replaced by Tyler Huntley
Sanders’ NFL debut is now in the books. With 2:12 remaining in the third quarter, the Browns trotted onto the field with Tyler Huntley in at quarterback. That will put a bow on a strong showing from Sanders, who did well to state his case to move up Cleveland’s quarterback depth chart.
Browns score on 4-yard jet sweep
Gage Larvadain has found his way into the end-zone. On a fourth-and-1 from the 4-yard line, the rookie receiver got the ball on an end-around carry. He found space to the outside and ran it into the end-zone to put the Browns up 14.
Sanders wasn’t credited with a touchdown on the run, but he completed both of his passes on the drive for 27 yards.
Shedeur Sanders sacked for second time
Cleveland went three-and-out on its first drive of the second half and saw Sanders sacked for the second time. He was brought down by Demani Richardson from behind for a loss of 5 yards.
The sack marked the first time Sanders was tackled hard on a passing play. His previous sack saw him get pushed out of bounds while running toward the sideline.
LeBron James praises Shedeur Sanders
Deion Sanders isn’t the only one praising his son for his performance Friday. LeBron James, who is a big Browns fan, also took to social media to praise Sanders and encouraged the Cleveland quarterback to ‘Keep going UP!!!’
Shedeur Sanders halftime stats
Sanders’ Browns debut has gone well so far. Cleveland has a 14-7 halftime lead, and Sanders has been responsible for both of the team’s scores.
Below is a look at his stats from the first half:
- Completions/Attempts: 11/18
- Passing yards: 103
- Passing touchdowns: 2
- Passer rating: 113.9
- Interceptions: 0
- Fumbles (Lost): 0
- Rushing yards: 20 (three carries)
- Sacks: 1
Shedeur Sanders throws second TD of first half to Kaden Davis
For the second time of the first half, Sanders finds Davis for a touchdown. This time, the Colorado product hung in the pocket as his running back made a nice block on a Panthers defender. Sanders spotted Davis breaking open over the middle of the field and hit him for the score.
Once again, the Browns made the extra point. They now have their first lead of the game. Browns 14, Panthers 7.
Shedeur Sanders completes 29-yard pass to Luke Floriea
Sanders’ strong first half continues. This time, he finds Floriea open down the right sideline after scrambling away from pressure and into a throwing position.
Sanders layered his throw into the coverage well. Floriea managed to make a brilliant one-handed catch on the ball to create Cleveland’s biggest play of the first half thus far.
Deion Sanders praises Shedeur Sanders after TD throw
Shortly after Sanders tossed his first touchdown throw, his father took to social media to praise him for the play.
Shedeur Sanders sacked for first time
The bad news: Sanders was sacked for the first time of the game to end the Browns’ fifth offensive drive of the game. The good news: it was just for a 1-yard loss, as he managed to scramble around the backfield for a long time before eventually running out of bounds after losing the angle to the sideline.
Sanders may not be able to continue to get away with scrambling deep into the backfield as his NFL career continues, but thus far, he has managed to elude many significant mistakes.
Shedeur Sanders converts third-down on strike to Gage Larvadain
The Browns faced a third-and-9 from inside their own 9-yard line when Sanders found Larvadain on the left side of the field. Sanders hung amid pressure at his feet near the goal-line and delivered a rocket to his receiver, who made the catch and generated a few yards after it.
Shedeur Sanders throws first TD pass with Browns
Sanders got the Browns into the end-zone following the botched punt, and the score was a thing of beauty. The Colorado product bootlegged to the left after a play-action fake and saw he had a small window to fit the ball into Kaden Davis.
Sanders threaded the needle between two defenders to perfectly deliver it to Davis. The Browns converted the ensuing extra point to tie the game. Browns 7, Panthers 7.
Browns stall out, get second chance after botched punt
A few Browns rush attempts, a little miscommunication and a muffed punt by Carolina’s Trevor Etienne led to a second chance to put points on the board for Sanders and the Browns offense. They took over on the Panthers’ 10-yard line
Bryce Young hits Jalen Coker for 5-yard touchdown
The Panthers got on the board first during Friday night’s clash. Young found Coker open in the end-zone on a third-and-goal and feathered a pretty pass to the Holy Cross product.
The Panthers brought Matthew Wright on to attempt the extra point and he made it. That gives the Panthers an early lead and will put Sanders on the comeback trail. Panthers 7, Browns 0.
Xavier Legette, Rayshawn Jenkins ejected after brawl
The Browns vs. Panthers game got chippy early, as Legette threw a few punches at Jenkins, who ripped the helmet off the second-year wide-out as part of the melee.
Legette and Jenkins were called for offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and were ejected from the game.
Shedeur Sanders throws ball away after being pressured on fourth-and-1
Kevin Stefanski gave Sanders and the Browns offense a chance to prove itself on a fourth-and-1. The rookie quarterback once again found himself under pressure and tried to escape it by running backward. He couldn’t shake the defense, falling back near midfield before uncorking a throw toward the right sideline that harmlessly felt incomplete.
Sanders is now 3-for-7 passing for 30 yards during his Browns debut. He also has 10 yards on one scramble.
Shedeur Sanders uses legs to pick up first down
Sanders was pressured on a third-and-9 but managed to escape. He found a lane to the right side of the field and ran for 10 yards before sliding down to keep the chains moving.
The scramble put the Browns at the back end of potential field-goal range.
Shedeur Sanders completes pass to Kaden Davis, can’t convert third down
Sanders is officially on the board with his first completion. He found Davis for a 4-yard gain, but the receiver was tackled inches shy of the line to gain.
As a result, the Browns decided to punt, meaning Sanders’ first drive will end in a 3-and-out.
Shedeur Sanders’ first pass incomplete to Diontae Johnson
Sanders’ first throw as a member of the Browns was intended for veteran receiver Diontae Johnson. The rookie quarterback targeted the former Pittsburgh Steelers star on a slant over the middle but couldn’t connect. The throw was a little high and bounced off Johnson’s hands.
Browns vs. Panthers start time
- Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
The Browns vs. Panthers game will kick off at 7 p.m. ET Friday. That will be NFL fans’ first chance to get an extended look at Shedeur Sanders, who is starting the game.
Browns vs. Panthers TV channel
- Cable TV: NFL Network
- Local TV: News 5 (Cleveland) | WJZY (Carolina)
- Streaming: NFL+ | Fubo
NFL Network will broadcast Shedeur Sanders’ Browns debut against the Panthers. Those in the Cleveland market will be able to catch the game on News 5 while those in the Carolina area will be able to catch the game on WJZY.
Those choosing to live stream the game can turn to Fubo, which carries a free trial.
Watch NFL Network with Fubo (free trial)
What number is Shedeur Sanders?
Sanders is wearing the No. 12 jersey during his rookie season with the Browns.
Sanders wore the No. 2 jersey during his college days at Colorado. That number belonged to receiver-slash-return specialist DeAndre Carter when Sanders joined the Browns.
Sanders has not commented on the significance of the No. 12 jersey. It’s worth noting his college teammate Travis Hunter wore the No. 12 at Colorado. Tom Brady, who has been a mentor to Sanders, also wore the No. 12 throughout his professional career with the Patriots and Buccaneers.
Shedeur Sanders draft pick
Sanders was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 144th overall selection. He was the sixth quarterback selected and the first taken on the draft’s third day.
Browns QB depth chart
The Browns have six quarterbacks currently on their 90-man roster. Below is a look at the pecking order among the group.
- Joe Flacco
- Kenny Pickett
- Dillon Gabriel
- Shedeur Sanders
- Tyler Huntley
- Deshaun Watson
Watson isn’t expected to play in 2025 after suffering multiple Achilles tears in a three-month span last season. Flacco, Pickett and Gabriel will not play in the preseason opener, as the latter two deal with hamstring injuries while Flacco, 40, will simply not be active.
Shedeur Sanders passing yards
Sanders completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in his debut against the Panthers.
Browns vs. Panthers odds, moneyline, over/under
The Panthers are favorites to defeat the Browns, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2025 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
- Spread: Panthers (-6.5)
- Moneyline: Panthers (-300); Browns (+240)
- Over/under: 32.5
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