Shedeur Sanders will be dressed for the first game of his professional NFL journey on Sunday. However, it’s likely that he won’t see any action at all.
The Cleveland Browns have designated Sanders as their emergency third quarterback for the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, which comes with strict guidelines regarding his potential playing time.
The only scenario in which Sanders could take to the field this week is if both of the Browns’ starting quarterbacks sustain injuries during the game. Joe Flacco is set to start against Cincinnati, with rookie Dillon Gabriel as his backup. If the game veers into a lopsided affair, Gabriel may get some game time in the fourth quarter, but not Sanders.
Conditions for Playing
The NFL initiated a new rule concerning emergency quarterbacks in 2023, and here are some key points about how it applies to Sanders:
- Must be on the roster: The emergency third quarterback must be listed on the 53-man roster. Sanders, drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, made the roster as the team chose to keep three quarterbacks after trading Kenny Pickett to the Raiders in late August.
- Other qualifying situations: Sanders can also enter the game if the top two quarterbacks are disqualified. If Flacco is injured and Gabriel is ejected, Sanders would be eligible. He could also play if both are being assessed for injuries.
- Equipment issues: If either top quarterback has an equipment problem, the emergency quarterback cannot enter the game. For instance, if Flacco and Gabriel both have helmet issues, Sanders would remain sidelined, and another active roster player must substitute.
- Emergency QB restrictions: When the emergency QB is on the field, he must take the snap himself. Thus, while Sanders could execute a flea flicker, he cannot participate in a play where another player takes the snap.
If you witness Sanders playing against the Bengals, it will indicate a genuine emergency for the Browns. The highly anticipated matchup between Cleveland and Cincinnati kicks off at 1 p.m. ET, airing on Fox.
