Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Is Shedeur Sanders Playing Today Vs the Bengals? A Look at the Cleveland Browns QB Depth Chart and Shedeur Sanders’ Availability

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Cleveland Browns open the 2025-26 NFL season against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7 at Huntington Bank Field, airing at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX. After a disastrous 3-14 season in 2024, the Browns are under scrutiny, with veteran Joe Flacco leading a revamped roster. The hype surrounding rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a fifth-round pick and former Colorado star, adds further interest in this AFC North clash.

The Browns will be taking on the Bengals, who are fresh off a 9-8 season, boast a potent offense led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. The Browns have a very tough opponent to start out their season and Myles Garrett will have to find a way to contain Burrow’s passing attack. While Cleveland’s offense must aim to find some kind of a rhythm in this heated divisional opener.

Is Shedeur Sanders Playing Today vs the Bengals?

According to the latest sources and as of Sunday morning, Shedeur Sanders isn’t expected to suit up for the Browns’ very first game against the Bengals.

time to suit up pic.twitter.com/m88blOZkMm
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 7, 2025

Sanders is certainly one of the most electrifying talents coming into the NFL, but he hasn’t had the brightest start to his career. He was projected to be a consensus top 10 pick in 2025 NFL draft, but surprisingly fell off all the way into the fifth round. According to sources, Sanders was reportedly a no show for team interviews or practices prior to the draft, and with him backing out of the NFL Combine too, teams were not willing to take a chance on him.

Cleveland Browns QB Depth Chart and Shedeur Sanders’ Position

Here is a look at the Cleveland Browns’ QB depth chart going into their Week 1 matchup against the Bengals.

Joe Flacco – QB1
Dillion Gabriel – QB2
Shedeur Sanders – QB3
Bailey Zappe (practice squad)

The 40-year old Joe Flacco will be the starting quarterback for the game against the Bengals. His direct backup will be Dillion Gabriel who was drafted prior Sanders in the 2025 NFL draft. The only way Sanders may play in this game is if the quarterbacks ahead of him get injured, and that is highly unlikely.

SHEDEUR SANDERS PUT ON A SHOW IN HIS PRESEASON DEBUT ⌚️ pic.twitter.com/yEhAL5YUxy
— ESPN (@espn) August 9, 2025

We saw Sanders in action during the preseason and their were flashes of brilliance along with a little bit of struggling. Overall he made the most of it, and as the season progresses, we expect him to take the field at some point in time. Whether as a starter or as a backup, Sanders could play a big role playing for the Browns this season.

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Eric Divakaran

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I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.