Listed as fourth-string on the Browns’ depth chart, Shedeur Sanders got the start vs. the Panthers
He finished 14-for-23 for 138 yards and threw two touchdowns
What does his performance mean for the Browns’ QB competition?

CHARLOTTE, NC – So much for the narrative that Shedeur Sanders was set up to fail.

No, there’s another way to look at this after the fifth-round rookie quarterback essentially aced his test for the Cleveland Browns in their preseason opener on Friday night.

Sanders was hardly perfect while handling a heavy workload in the 30-10 exhibition win against the Carolina Panthers.

But boy was he good. Sanders, 23, threw two touchdown passes to Kaden Davis that looked as if they were guided by laser. He had a few Harry Houdini moments, escaping at least four would-be sacks. He flowed off-script, like on a 30-yard completion that fellow rookie Luke Floriea hauled in with one hand. And he never committed a turnover.

Yet afterward, Sanders (14-of-23, 138 yards, 106.8 passer rating) bemoaned missing on a couple throws that got away.

“Did I play up to par?” he said. “No, I don’t think I did.”

Well, he’s entitled to his opinion, too. So, just imagine what Sanders, listed as fourth-string on the depth chart, might have done if he had worked some practice reps with the starters or the second team. Sanders has yet to have a single rep with the first team during training camp, and has had only a handful with the 2’s. He’s the guy seen during practices working alone on an adjacent field.

With Kenny Pickett and rookie Dillon Gabriel, listed behind Joe Flacco, nursing hamstring injuries, Sanders got his chance to start and shine.

Some suggested he was set up to fail because of his limited practice reps. Sanders, though, has a totally different view.

“I think overall in life, I don’t want anybody to make excuses,” said Sanders, who led college football in completion percentage in his final year playing for his Hall of Fame father, Deion, at Colorado in 2024 – then dominated the news cycle during the three-day NFL draft as his stock tumbled from a projected first-round pick to a Day 3 selection.

Set up to fail?

“You ask God for something. It’s there,” he said. “And you’re going to complain about it? So, it’s two ways you can look at it. You can look at it and be thankful and take full advantage of the opportunity. Or you can look at it like ‘Dang. This is what I’ve been asking for, but I’m not prepared.’ I’ve been able to sleep at night, knowing I was going to be playing. And then I just prepared as normal. Then that switch kicked in. When you’re out there on the field, it feels different. Ball’s ball. Ball has never been a problem for me.”

Sanders may have just played himself into a serious contender for the Browns’ starting job. After all, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has maintained that it’s an “open” competition. And if that’s the case, Sanders, who played 45 snaps on nine series (excluding a kneel-down at the end of the first half), has at least earned the chance to get reps with the 1’s and 2’s.

Stefanski evaded that question when I asked during his postgame news conference and also wouldn’t touch the topic of the competition. The rookie wouldn’t light a match, either.

Sanders: “I just think about when I got out there, doing what I’ve got to do. Everything else is not in my hand, so why worry about it? I just don’t think that deep into everything because it’s nothing you’re going to be able to control. Why put energy into something that you can’t control? The most you can do is hey, man, if you get your opportunity and your number’s called, perform it. At least to the bare minimum to win the game.”

There’s fresh videotape out there now, however, showing Sanders making splash plays like he did at Colorado and demonstrating keen instincts during his big audition. It’s a starting point. Never mind that the Browns didn’t play starters and Carolina played first-teamers for only a couple series.

Ah, social media. Sanders was such a trending topic on Friday night, just as he was during the NFL draft.

His famous father, aka Coach Prime, didn’t hesitate to put out a post amid the buzz.

“What now?” Deion asked on X.

Stefanski and his staff – including Bill Musgrave, the Browns quarterbacks coach who was a teammate of Deion’s on the San Francisco 49ers squad that won Super Bowl 29 – can assess so many layers of Sanders’ performance.

If you wanted to script a test to cover all of the bases, the Browns couldn’t have done much better than compiling the “situational football” scenarios from Friday night. Sanders operated in a nine-play drive and a two-play drive. On another possession, he faced back-to-back third-and-long plays, converting the first one after he rolled out and bolted from the pocket for a 9-yard run. Another time he powered under the pile to convert a quarterback sneak. Both of his TD passes came while positioned in the red zone. Another series had him backed up deep in his own end, then throwing from the end zone. At the end of the half, a hurry-up drill.

Said Stefanski: “The situations were invaluable for Shedeur, for all of our offense.”

Then there’s this other situation, reflecting uncharted territory for Sanders. Someone asked about his patience, given the scant opportunities while buried on the depth chart.

“It’s different things and different life lessons you’ve got to go through,” he said. “And I haven’t gone through this situation that I’m in, ever. So, it’s really just a test from God. I was just thankful that I was able to see the light of day and get out there and play.”

Still, it’s so striking that he produced so much from so few practice reps.

“I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable,” he declared. “That’s what it is. I’ve got pockets of finding my rhythm. I’ve got to get into that quicker, regardless of anything. But overall, I felt like me out there.

“I couldn’t do it without the time, I couldn’t do it without the play-calling,” he added. “So, I’m just thankful to have the joy of just being on the field overall. And carrying the responsibility to do the right thing. So, that’s two badges under my belt already.”

And with that, Sanders re-wrote the narrative.

“My vow is to definitely make change,” he said. “And change was made.”

Which adds some major intrigue to the Browns’ quarterback situation.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on social media:

On X: @JarrettBell; On Bluesky: jarrettbell.bsky.social

Shedeur Sanders had time on Friday night – some of it in the pocket, but maybe more of it after the game.

In the wake of Sanders’ positive debut vs. the Carolina Panthers, the rookie quarterback caught up with Cleveland-based reporter and radio personality Tony Grossi. Sanders appeared to take issue with Grossi’s negative slant towards him.

In the tunnels of Bank of America Stadium, Sanders addressed Grossi directly, and called out his coverage. And he did it with a smile on:

‘Tony, I be hoping you have something positive to say about me,’ Sanders tells Grossi in the video (via Well Off Media). ‘You only say negative stuff about me. And I’m like, ‘I ain’t do nothing to you.”

‘Come on, what I do? What’d I do to you, Tony?’

Sanders kept a smile on throughout the short-lived conversation and he and the reporter shared a little bit of a laugh before the passer headed into the locker room.

It’s not the first time that Sanders has confronted a perceived detractor in a public setting. In 2024, the then-Colorado Buffaloes quarterback caught up with Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and refused to shake his hand following a 43-35 Colorado victory.

Sanders finished 14-of-23 passing with 138 yards and two touchdowns in the Browns win. He played almost three entire quarters and showcased skill that led some draft analysts to believe he should have been a Day 1 selection.

With more performances like he had on Friday night, Sanders may find himself speaking with plenty more critics in the coming weeks, months or years.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

The 2025 Little League World Series will take place in Williamsport, Pennsylvania from August 13-24.
20 teams (10 from the U.S. and 10 international) will compete in a modified double-elimination format.
The championship game will be on Sunday, August 24th at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
Several teams are making repeat appearances, while others are attending for the first time.
The article highlights teams and regions with notable histories and recent successes in the LLWS.

Since 1947, the Little League World Series has made summertime youth baseball a must-watch event.

When 20 teams (10 from the United States regions and 10 representing other regions of the world) descend upon on Williamsport, Pennsylvania from Aug. 13-24, all eyes will be on the 12-U baseball All-Stars on the various teams.

The 20 teams will compete in a modified double-elimination format until the championship games of each bracket, which are single elimination.

After 11 days of action and 38 games overall, this year’s Little League World Series champion will be decided on Sunday, Aug. 24 in a 3 p.m. ET title game on ABC.

Here’s everything to know about the 2025 Little League World Series and the teams that are participating in the tournament.

Watch the Little League World Series on Fubo

2025 Little League World Series United States bracket

Great Lakes region

It is the year of firsts for Clarendon Hills Little League (Clarendon Hills, Illinois), which won the Great Lakes region tournament this year. According to the Chicago Tribune, Clarendon won its first-ever state title in 2025 and subsequently earned its first trip to Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Since a team from Illinois has never won the LLWS title, Clarendon Hill would make history if it won this year’s championship.

Metro region

For the second time since 2017, a team from Connecticut will go to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, but this time from the Metro region bracket. Prior to 2022, Connecticut was a member of the New England region, but the Little League World Series expanded from 16 teams to its current format of 20 in 2022. This year, Fairfield National Little League (Fairfield, Connecticut) edged St. James-Smithtown Little League (Smithtown, New York), 12-1, to guarantee its spot at the LLWS. Connecticut has won four LLWS titles with the last coming in 1989 from Trumbull National Little League (Trumbull, Connecticut).

Mid-Atlantic region

The Glenmoore Eagle Little League team (Uwchlan Township, Pennsylvania) has the shortest trip (160 miles) to Williamsport this year, and when the team arrives, it will be one of the hottest teams in the Little League World Series. Glenmoore Eagle won 14 consecutive games to earn its spot as the Mid-Atlantic champion after a 7-1 victory over Montgomery County Little League (Germantown, Maryland). Pennsylvania has four LLWS titles with the last coming in 1960 from Levittown American Little League (Levittown, Pennsylvania).

Midwest region

Sioux Falls Little League (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) is becoming a regular participant in Williamsport. Not only is Sioux Falls LL making back-to-back appearances in the LLWS, it will be the team’s fourth trip since 2017. Sioux Falls LL became the Midwest champion with a 6-0 victory over Fargo Little League (Fargo, North Dakota). Sioux Falls has now advanced to the LLWS in 2017, 2021, 2024 and 2025. However, a team from South Dakota has never won the Little League World Series.   

Mountain region

The Las Vegas area appears to be a hot spot for Little League baseball talent and Summerlin South Little League (Las Vegas) is just the latest example. Summerlin South LL defeated Lone Peak Little League (Alpine, Utah), 6-3, in the Mountain championship game to earn a spot this year. According to Fox 5 Las Vegas, Summerlin South is the third straight team from Southern Nevada to represent the region at the LLWS. If Summerlin South can win the 2025 Little League World Series title, it will be the first team from Nevada to do it.  

New England region

According to the Patriot Ledger, Braintree American Little League, this year’s New England region champion, ‘advances to the Little League World Series for the first time in the program’s 72-year history.” Braintree American LL (Braintree, Massachusetts) defeated Bedford Little League (Bedford, New Hampshire), 3-2, in eight innings to secure a trip to Williamsport. Earlier this year, Braintree American won the program’s first state title. If the historic season for the Massachusetts-based squad ends with a LLWS championship, it would be the first in the history of the state.

Northwest region

Bonney Lake/Sumner Little League (Bonney Lake, Washington) clinched the last spot in this year’s Little League World Series with a 6-1 win over Murrayhill Little League (Beaverton, Oregon) in the Northwest region title game. Washington has one LLWS title in its history. In 1982, the Kirkland National Little League from Kirkland, Washington, claimed the championship. 

Southeast region

The Irmo Little League team (Irmo, South Carolina) can say it did something that no other team in this year’s field has done – beating the defending LLWS champions. And the program did it in dramatic fashion. Brady Westbrooks had one hit in the Southeast region championship game, and it was a three-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning that vaulted Irmo LL past Lake Mary Little League, 5-4, to secure the Southeast title. According to the State newspaper, this will be Irmo’s first LLWS appearance and just the fourth by a South Carolina team. Overall, a team from South Carolina has never won the Little League World Series.

Southwest region

Little League teams from Texas have enjoyed some success in Williamsport, and now it is Lamar Little League’s opportunity to make some headlines. The Richmond, Texas team is headed to the LLWS for the third time, according to Chron.com, and the state of Texas will represent the Southwest region for the fourth consecutive year. Overall, Texas has won two LLWS titles, the last coming in 1966 when Houston’s Westbury Little League brought home the championship.

West region

Honolulu Little League (Honolulu, Hawaii) has a decorated history in the Little League World Series. The program comes to Williamsport with a 15-1 all-time record in the LLWS, according to ESPN, and has the most wins by a U.S. Little League team in the event. This year’s squad won the West region title, 4-1, over Golden Hill Little League (Fullerton, California). It is the 17th overall appearance by a team from Hawaii in the LLWS and the eighth since 2006, according to ESPN. Hawaii is tied for the second most LLWS titles (four) among U.S. states with Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In addition, Honolulu LL has won two LLWS titles (2018, 2022) from the four Hawaii has secured.

2025 Little League World Series International bracket

Asia-Pacific region

Tung-Yuan LL (Taipei, Chinese Taipei) cruised to a 6-1 record in the Asia-Pacific tournament to get to Williamsport. According to Little League, ‘this will be the fourth-straight trip for Chinese Taipei as the representative for the Asia-Pacific region, starting with Fu-Lin Little League (Taipei, Chinese Taipei) earning the bid in 2022.” Chinese Taipei has a rich history in the LLWS with 33 appearances, including this year. Tung-Yuan Little League made its last, and only other, trip to Williamsport back in 2015, finishing the tournament with a 2-2 record, Little League said. If it seems like Chinese Taipei is one of the international teams to watch every year, that’s because Chinese Taipei is the country with the most Little League World Series titles (17), outside the United States, with the country’s last championship coming in 1996 from Kaohsiung Little League.

Australia region

According to Little League, “This will be the second trip to Williamsport for Brisbane North Region Little League (Brisbane, Queensland)” as the squad has a 2022 appearance on its résumé already. This is also the third team from Queensland to earn the honor of playing for a LLWS title. A team from Australia has never won the Little League World Series. Australian Little League Baseball launched in 2007 with the Australian Little League Championship held for the first time in 2008, according to Baseball Australia.

Canada region

For the second time in four years, the 12-U All-Stars from Little Mountain Little League (Vancouver, British Columbia) will represent the Canada region in the Little League World Series. Previously, Little Mountain LL was the Canada tournament winner in 2022 and participated in the 75th anniversary of the Little League Baseball World Series that year. With Little Mountain joining the field of 20 once again, the program is now seeking Canada’s first LLWS title. 

Caribbean region

Aruba Center Little League (Santa Cruz, Aruba) will make a return trip to the LLWS this year after once again capturing the Caribbean region title. Overall, this will be Aruba Center’s third trip to the LLWS, after previous appearances in 2024 and 2011, according to Little League. The 2024 team went 2-2 in in Williamsport. A team from Aruba has never won the Little League World Series.

Europe-Africa region

South Czech Republic Little League (Brno, Czechia) has dominated the Europe-Africa region lately and subsequently will make another trip to Williamsport – the program’s third straight and the country’s fifth overall. The country of Czechia is still seeking its first LLWS title.

Japan region

While the country of Japan has a storied history in the LLWS, the program from Joto Little League (Tokyo) will be a newcomer to the legendary baseball tournament. In fact, Joto LL just started chartering with with Little League International for the first time in 2022, according to Little League. Japan has the third most appearances (34) among international teams, trailing Canada (64) and Mexico (36). Japan’s last championship came in 2017 with a Little League squad from Tokyo.

Latin America region

Cardenales Little League (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) is making a repeat appearance at the LLWS this year as the Latin America champion. According to Little League, “Cardenales LL has represented Latin American in Williamsport three times previously, and it will be the 23rd appearance for the country, the sixth-most appearances among international teams.” Last year, Cardenales LL finished in third place with a 5-2 record. The country of Venezuela has won the LLWS twice, the last time coming in 2000 by Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Mexico region

El Swing Perfecto Little League (Chihuahua, Mexico) is a fairly new program after chartering with Little League is 2023, and the team is making its first trip to the LLWS. Mexico has the fourth most LLWS titles by international teams with the last championship coming in 1997 by Guadalupe, Mexico.

Panama region

Puerto Rico region

It has been over two decades since Juan A. Bibiloni Little League’s last appearance at the Little League World Series, and it was a memorable run back in 1999. According to Little League, the Yabucoa, Puerto Rico squad had a run for the ages going 3-1 and getting to the International Championship game against Japan — ‘marking the best performance by a Puerto Rican team in LLBWS history.” Still, Puerto Rico is seeking its first Little League World Series title.

History of Little League World Series winners, by country, as of 2024

1. United States: 40
2. Chinese Taipei: 17
3. Japan: 11
T4. Mexico: 3
T4. South Korea: 3
6. Venezuela: 2
7. Curaçao: 1

History of United States Little League World Series winners, by state, as of 2024

1. California: 8
T2. Connecticut: 4
T2. Hawaii: 4
T2. New Jersey: 4
T2. Pennsylvania: 4
T6. Georgia: 3
T6. New York: 3
T8. Michigan: 2
T8. Texas: 2
T10. Alabama: 1
T10. Florida: 1
T10. Kentucky: 1
T10. Louisiana: 1
T10. New Mexico: 1
T10. Washington: 1

History of Little League World Series winners by year

2024: Lake Mary, Florida
2023: El Segundo, California
2022: Honolulu, Hawaii
2021: Taylor, Michigan
2019: River Ridge, Louisiana
2018: Honolulu, Hawaii
2017: Tokyo, Japan
2016: Endwell, New York
2015: Tokyo Japan
2014: Seoul, South Korea
2013: Tokyo, Japan
2012: Tokyo, Japan
2011: Huntington Beach, California
2010: Tokyo, Japan
2009: Chula Vista, California
2008: Waipahu, Hawaii
2007: Warner Robins, Georgia
2006: Columbus, Georgia
2005: ‘Ewa Beach, Hawaii
2004: Willemstad, Curaçao
2003: Tokyo, Japan
2002: Louisville, Kentucky
2001: Tokyo, Japan
2000: Maracaibo, Venezuela
1999: Hirikata, Japan
1998: Toms River, New Jersey
1997: Guadalupe, Mexico
1996: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
1995: Tainan, Taiwan
1994: Maracaibo, Venezuela
1993: Long Beach, California
1992: Long Beach, California
1991: Taichung, Taiwan
1990: Tainan County, Taiwan
1989: Trumbull, Connecticut
1988: Taichung, Taiwan
1987: Hualien, Taiwan
1986: Tainan Park, Taiwan
1985: Seoul, South Korea
1984: Seoul, South Korea
1983: Marietta, Georgia
1982: Kirkland, Washington
1981: Taichung, Taiwan
1980: Hualien, Taiwan
1979: Chiayi, Taiwan
1978: Pingtung, Taiwan
1977: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
1976: Tokyo, Japan
1975: Lakewood, New Jersey
1974: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
1973: Tainan City, Taiwan
1972: Taipei, Taiwan
1971: Tainan, Taiwan
1970: Wayne, New Jersey
1969: Taipei, Taiwan
1968: Wakayama, Japan
1967: West Tokyo, Japan
1966: Houston, Texas
1965: Windsor Locks, Connecticut
1964: Staten Island, New York
1963: Granada Hills, California
1962: San Jose, California
1961: El Cajon, California
1960: Levittown, Pennsylvania
1959: Hamtramck, Michigan
1958: Monterrey, Mexico
1957: Monterrey, Mexico
1956: Roswell, New Mexico
1955: Morrisville, Pennsylvania
1954: Schenectady, New York
1953: Birmingham, Alabama
1952: Norwalk, Connecticut
1951: Stamford, Connecticut
1950: Houston, Texas
1949: Hammonton, New Jersey
1948: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
1947: Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance after suffering a serious injury in the team’s preseason matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

Norris’ injury occurred as he attempted to make a tackle on Falcons running back Nathan Carter. Norris appeared to hit his head on Carter’s right knee, which caused Norris’ head to snap back at an awkward angle.

Norris remained down for several minutes while medical personnel tended to him. Eventually, he was loaded onto a backboard and taken away by ambulance.

The entire Lions team gathered on the field as Norris was tended to.

Both the Lions and Falcons agreed to let the remaining 13 minutes of game time run out as players gathered at midfield.

The game was ultimately suspended with 6:19 remaining on the game clock.

Morice Norris injury update

On Saturday morning, Norris took to Instagram to give a very positive update:

”Amen Amen, I’m all good man don’t stress it appreciate all the check ins and love” he posted, with a heart emoji.

Late Friday, Lions PR announced that Norris was transported to a local hospital to undergo further evaluation in the hour after the injury.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he got some ‘positive information’ on Norris.

‘He’s breathing, he’s talking. He’s got some movement and now they’re running more tests,’ Campbell told reporters after the game.

The Lions said late Friday that Norris was ‘in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities.’

They added he will ‘remain at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta overnight for observation.’

The defensive back appeared to take a blow to the head and neck area, leading to him being placed on a backboard and eventually taken off the field via ambulance.

He remained on the field for several minutes as players gathered to offer support.

This story has been updated with new information.

The New England Patriots made legendary quarterback Tom Brady the first-ever player in franchise history to be honored with a statue outside of Gillette Stadium.

Brady took the opportunity presented to him Friday by the one-of-a-kind honor to take a jab at one of his biggest rivals from his playing days: the New York Jets.

Brady’s dig at the Jets came a speech he gave after the statue was unveiled.

‘This statue isn’t just for Pats fans,’ Brady quipped. ‘It will also give Jets fans something to throw their beers at as they leave the stadium ever year. Probably in the second quarter. Maybe in the third.’

While the Patriots haven’t enjoyed consistent success since Brady left the team during the 2020 NFL offseason, they have continued to perform well against the Jets. New England has posted an 8-2 record against their divisional rival in five seasons without Brady.

Tom Brady statue unveiled

The Patriots unveiled the statue of Brady – with the seven-time Super Bowl champion present – ahead of their preseason Week 1 game against the Washington Commanders.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft kickstarted the ceremony by delivering a speech about Brady’s importance to the franchise.

‘Tom wasn’t just the face of our franchise,’ Kraft said. ‘He was the true heartbeat.’

After Kraft finished speaking, he began a countdown to reveal the Brady statue, which features a stoic-looking Brady holding his helmet by the facemask in his left hand. Meanwhile, his right hand is raised to the sky in exultation.

The Patriots also posted a side-by-side look of Brady and the statue on social media.

Brady called the honor ‘quite overwhelming’ and expressed gratitude to the fans for his two decades in New England.

‘Thank you so much for being here,’ Brady told the fans. ‘It means the world to me. I appreciate it. Thank you.’

Brady won six Super Bowls and three MVP awards during his 20-year career with the Patriots. He finished his career as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (89,214), passing touchdowns (649) and quarterback wins (286, including the postseason).

Shedeur Sanders made his Cleveland Browns debut Friday against the Carolina Panthers. The fifth-round rookie was granted a rare opportunity to start the first preseason game despite being listed as the team’s fourth-string quarterback.

Sanders’ opportunity came with both Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel dealing with hamstring injuries and Kevin Stefanski preferring to sit 40-year-old Joe Flacco in the first preseason game. The Colorado product was given a chance to play almost three quarters of the game before making way for Tyler Huntley.

How did Sanders do in his preseason debut? USA TODAY Sports is grading Sanders’ performance from Cleveland’s 30-10 win in preseason Week 1.

Grading Shedeur Sanders’ Browns debut

Sanders did not disappoint in extensive action during his Browns preseason debut. He kept Cleveland’s offense moving throughout the game and showcased the skills many believed would make him an early-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Throughout Friday’s contest, Sanders read the field well and demonstrated sharp accuracy. He was able to deliver pinpoint passes to his receivers on several occasions and notable threaded the needle to receiver Kaden Davis on his first touchdown of the game.

Sanders zipped the pass by two defenders and put the ball perfectly in Davis’ path to get Cleveland on the board.

Sanders also showed a great ability to navigate the pocket during Friday’s action as well. He routinely scrambled away from pressure and even had a 10-yard first-down scramble in the first half.

Perhaps more impressively, Sanders showed an ability to navigate the pocket while positioning himself to make throws. Notable, he remains calm amid pressure on his second touchdown pass of the day. He avoided panic, allowing his running back to make a nice pick-up in pass protection, which gave Sanders the time needed to once again find Davis for a score.

Sanders only showed one significant concern during his preseason debut. One of the ways he sought to avoid sacks was to fall back further in the pocket. That resulted in him dropping well back behind the line of scrimmage (10-15 yards) on several occasions while trying to scramble around oncoming defenders.

Despite this, Sanders was sacked just twice. However, he also failed to convert a fourth-and-1, in part, because of his attempts to escape backward; and as Caleb Williams learned last season, it isn’t always easy to escape oncoming rushers while fading back against higher-caliber NFL defenses.

Nonetheless, Sanders’ debut went about as well as anyone could have reasonably expected. His ability to entirely avoid turnovers will certainly encourage Kevin Stefanski, and it could afford Sanders an opportunity to challenge for a role higher up on Cleveland’s unsettled quarterback depth chart.

Shedeur Sanders debut grade: B+

Shedeur Sanders stats vs. Panthers

Below is a look at Sanders’ stats from his first NFL preseason action:

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

Detroit Lions defensive back Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance on Aug. 8 during the Detroit Lions-Atlanta Falcons preseason game.

Norris appeared to take a blow to the head and neck area and laid on the field for several minutes before he was placed on a backboard and loaded into an ambulance.

Late Friday night, the Lions said that Norris was ‘in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities.’

Here’s the latest on the Lions defensive back:

Morice Norris injury update

Norris posted on his Instagram story on Saturday morning providing a very positive update:

‘Amen amen I’m all good man don’t stress it appreciate all the check ins and love’ he posted.

After the game, Lions PR announced that Norris was transported to a local hospital to undergo further evaluation in the hour after the injury.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he got some ‘positive information’ on Norris, and said that Norris was breathing, talking and has ‘some movement.’

The Lions said late Friday that Norris was ‘in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities.’

They added he will ‘remain at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta overnight for observation.’

The defensive back appeared to take a blow to the head and neck area, leading to him being placed on a backboard and eventually taken off the field via ambulance.

He remained on the field for several minutes as players gathered to offer support.

This story has been updated with new information.

Shedeur Sanders’ first start as a member of the Cleveland Browns took place earlier than many anticipated it would.

Sanders was tapped to start Cleveland’s first preseason game despite being fourth on the team’s quarterback depth chart. The fifth-round rookie’s opportunity came as Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel dealt with injuries while coach Kevin Stefanski had 40-year-old veteran Joe Flacco sit out the game.

As a result, Sanders was given a chance to handle the bulk of the Browns’ offseason reps. He and Tyler ‘Snoop’ Huntley were the only two quarterbacks to see action during the game, which gave the Colorado product an ideal chance to state his case for a spot on Cleveland’s 53-man roster.

How did Sanders do in his extensive opportunity? Here are the winners and losers of Sanders’ Browns debut against the Carolina Panthers.

WINNERS

Shedeur Sanders

Sanders was given a chance to play a majority of Cleveland’s preseason opener against the Panthers. He did not disappoint in extensive action.

Sanders played most of the first three quarters of Friday’s game kept the Browns offense moving, reading the field well and demonstrating sharp accuracy throughout the contest. The 23-year-old was able to thread the needle a couple of times, including on his first touchdown pass, where he threw a strike to Kaden Davis that zipped by two defenders.

Additionally, Sanders showed great pocket awareness throughout the contest. He was able to scramble away from pressure on numerous occasions and showed an ability to navigate the pocket while still positioning himself to make downfield throws.

Notably, he hung in amid pressure on his second touchdown pass of the day. His running back made a nice pick-up in pass protection, which allowed Sanders the time needed to find Davis open in the end-zone.

The biggest area for improvement for Sanders came when dropping back to avoid sacks. On several occasions, Sanders dropped back 10-plus yards behind the line of scrimmage and attempted to scramble around oncoming defenders to create a game. He was sacked just twice despite that, but as Caleb Williams learned last season, that may not work against higher-caliber NFL defenses.

Still, Sanders certainly built some positive momentum during Friday’s performance, during which he completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns with a 106.8 passer rating. That could prove crucial for him he jockeys for a role in a wide-open quarterback room.

Deion Sanders

‘Coach Prime’ would have relished seeing his son have success in the NFL in any circumstance. Still, there’s little doubt the Browns quarterback’s solid debut will be sweeter for his father after the 23-year-old signal-caller endured during the Colorado product’s draft slide.

Sanders told USA TODAY Sports’ Brent Schrotenboer watching his son last until the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft ‘did hurt’ him emotionally. Despite the dramatic fall, the 57-year-old coach remained steadfast his son would perform well at the NFL level.

‘He’s gonna be a problem after tonight,’ Sanders said on eve of his son’s debut. ‘I promise you that.’

Sanders lived up to that billing in his preseason debut, and his father relished the opportunity to praise him for a job well done during the contest.

Kevin Stefanski

Stefanski has to be happy with what he saw from Sanders on Friday. He deserves credit for giving the fifth-round rookie extensive playing time, even if he had little choice in the matter given the injuries to other quarterbacks on Cleveland’s roster.

The bigger reason Stefanski is a winner? Sanders’ performance gives the Browns a bit of excitement at quarterback. That’s something that was undoubtedly lacking in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL season.

Many wanted to see Sanders in action but weren’t sure how the fifth-round rookie would perform. Now that he has performed well, Stefanski could have an ace up his sleeve to insert into Cleveland’s lineup if he needs a spark. That’s nice for any coach to have, but especially for one coming off a 3-14 season.

Joe Flacco

While Sanders was the big winner of Friday’s game, Flacco still has to be feeling confident after it. The 40-year-old veteran is presently favored to start and saw only one member of his legitimate competition for the starting job, Sanders, see action in the game.

Pickett and Gabriel’s inability to suit up in preseason Week 1 should allow Flacco to maintain an advantage in the race for Cleveland’s starting job. Sanders stated his case to be a part of the race given his performance against the Panthers, and Pickett or Gabriel could still give Flacco a run for his money if they can play in preseason Week 2.

For now, Flacco should be viewed as the favorite to begin the season as Cleveland’s top quarterback.

LOSERS

Dillon Gabriel

Gabriel and Sanders entered training camp engaged in a battle for Cleveland’s third-string quarterback job. Sanders took advantage of the strong opportunity he had to stake his claim to that role against the Panthers.

As for Gabriel, he missed Cleveland’s preseason opener while dealing with a hamstring injury. The malady is considered minor, but nonetheless, his absence opened the door for Sanders to close the gap between the two rookies in the Browns quarterback room.

The reason the battle between Gabriel and Sanders is so important is that the fourth-string signal-caller could be in danger of being released. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported Cleveland is ‘more likely than not’ to keep all four of its quarterbacks, but few NFL teams have devoted four, 53-man roster spots to quarterbacks in recent seasons.

With Sanders looking good Friday, Gabriel could find himself a little closer to the chopping block than he’d like. He will have to change that over the final two weeks of the preseason.

Kenny Pickett

Pickett was expected to battle Flacco for Cleveland’s starting job. He may find himself wondering how secure his roster spot may be after Sanders’ performance.

As mentioned, the Browns may prefer to keep four quarterbacks on their active roster. After all, Flacco is 40 and may not play much longer, so having a trio of young passers could benefit the team.

But if not, could Pickett be the odd man out? He was initially viewed as the top competition for Flacco, but with Sanders performing well in the preseason and Pickett missing time due a hamstring injury, the gap between the two could be closing.

Add in the presence of Gabriel, on whom the team spent a third-round pick, and Pickett could find himself in a tight, three-man battle for the backup job.

So, while Pickett still seems favored to be Cleveland’s No. 2 quarterback to open the season, his footing there is more precarious than it once was.

NFL teams that passed on Shedeur Sanders

Yes, Sanders’ preseason start is just one game. Still, the rookie’s debut looked a lot better than those of most fifth-round quarterbacks the NFL has produced in recent seasons.

Does that mean every NFL team who passed on Sanders will end up regretting it? Maybe not yet, but Sanders has at least given the quarterback-needy teams who let him last until the fifth round something to chew on.