Sheduer Sanders dealt major blow as injuries pile up for Browns amid questions over rookie’s mentality

Dec 13, 2025 - 12:15

The Cleveland Browns ruled out four starters for Sunday’s road game against the Chicago Bears.

The four starters ruled out are cornerback Denzel Ward, tight end David Njoku, and offensive linemen Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin.

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns#2 and Blake Whiteheart #86 of the Cleveland Browns celebrate a touchdown from Sanders during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 07, 2025 — Sanders will be without one of his key offensive linemen against the Bears

Facing the Bears was already going to be difficult with the weather set to drop below zero degrees and the hosts fighting to clinch a playoff berth.

The Browns, who were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 14, are now without four of their five starting offensive linemen from Week 1.

The fifth offensive lineman, Joel Bitonio, is listed as questionable.

This is a major blow to Sanders, as he loses more of the men who are assigned the responsibility to protect him.

The fifth-round draft pick has enjoyed a good start to life as the Browns’ QB1.

He became the first Cleveland rookie quarterback to win on his first start since 1995 before enjoying a historic performance in Week 14 when, in a narrow loss against the Titans, the rookie threw for 364 yards, three touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown.

Only Joe Burrow in the Super Bowl era has recorded such an impressive stat line in a first season as a pro.

Meanwhile, quarterback Deshaun Watson is on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from tearing his Achilles in October 2024.

Although quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave said the veteran increased his workload in his second week of practice.

It was recently reported that the Browns expect Watson to be on the 2025 roster.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) leaves the field following the National Football League game between the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns on December 7, 2025 — Shedeur Sanders faces a huge test in the cold conditions of Chicago on Sunday

Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a win over the Cincinnati Bengals — This is a must-win game for the Bears and Williams as they look to make the playoffs

NFL draft analyst Todd McShay questions Shedeur Sanders’ maturity

After head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Sanders would be the QB1 for the remainder of the season, the 23-year-old drew lots of praise for his journey to this achievement.

However, on Friday, NFL draft analyst Todd McShay, on “The Triple Option Podcast”, was less enthusiastic about Sanders

As he first claimed that he expects Sanders to leave the Browns before suggesting that he needs to mature if he is to be successful in the NFL.

“I don’t think [Shedeur’s NFL future] is in Cleveland,” McShay said.

“I think he can [start in the NFL]. I think he has a lot of maturing to do. I really do.

“I think both as an individual and as a quarterback, and learning to play within the scheme. I think there’s a lot of drifting and sliding out of the pocket.”

Deion Sanders meets his son Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns prior to a game against the Tennessee Titans — Sanders impressed against the Titans despite the Browns losing, and will look to do the same against Chicago

McShay even went on to compare Sanders to Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who he will face on Sunday.

“There’s this, kind of like, hero brand of quarterback that he likes to play… He had the bad tendencies that Caleb Williams had, that he developed in USC,” he added.

“But he doesn’t have the arm and mobility that Caleb possessed to get out of trouble.”

In four appearances so far this season, Sanders has tallied 769 yards and five touchdowns along with three interceptions.

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