Browns demote Shedeur Sanders in stunning twist: 'Why is he on the team?'
Shedeur Sanders continues to be on the down elevator during his rookie season.
The Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Sanders is not even getting reps on the scout team for Cleveland at this point and is simply just “watching everyone,” Tony Rizzo of ESPN reported this week on his radio show. Fellow backup QB Bailey Zappe has been running the Browns’ scout team instead, Rizzo adds.
Rizzo also questioned why Sanders was still on the Browns if his role on the team was simply that of a spectator. You can see the full clip of Rizzo’s remarks here.
Shedeur Sanders had an impressive preseason
Sanders produced some moments of real brilliance for the Browns this past preseason but was still named as the team’s third-string quarterback to start the season behind veteran Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. Now it appears that Sanders has even been unofficially surpassed by Zappe, who just signed with Cleveland’s practice squad a couple of weeks ago.
A scout team is a combination of both practice squad players and lesser-used 53-man roster players that plays the role of emulating the opposing team during the week of practice. If the 23-year-old Sanders, who needs any reps that he can get at this point, is not even getting scout-team work over the 26-year-old Zappe, who is in his fourth NFL season, it is indeed fair to question what exactly the plan is for Sanders in Cleveland.
We heard earlier this week that Sanders, the former University of Colorado star, is currently ranking incredibly high in 2025 NFL jersey sales. But beyond that, Sanders’ professional journey appears to be rather aimless right now.
Bears Make Last-Minute Lineup Change Before Detroit Lions Game
The Detroit Lions are coming up on their second game of the season, and it’s a doozie. The team will play the Chicago Bears on Sunday, September 14, and it’s not hyperbole to say that this is the most important game of their early season. After falling to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, September 7, the Lions really need to win this Bears game to start out on the right foot in the NFC North.
Plus, the Detroit Lions, of course, will also be up against their former offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson. So, the Lions want to prove that they can beat Johnson at his own game.
The Bears and Lions game is set for Ford Field, so the Lions will have their homefield advantage. But, they’re going to need more than that to pull off a win, though, because Johnson and the Bears really want to win this one, too. Now, the Bears have made a change heading into the Lions matchup.
Chicago Bears Make a Change to Their Lineup Ahead of Lions Game
As the Bears’ transaction wire reports, the team let go of veteran cornerback Tre Flowers off their practice squad and signed cornerback Dallis Flowers in his place. The two have the same last name but aren’t related.
Tre hasn’t been a member of the Bears too long. He inked with the team in training camp and was supposed to help add depth to their cornerback room, but he didn’t make their 53-man roster because of his preseason showing. Now, they’ll have Dallis in his place as one of just two cornerbacks on their practice squad.
So, will Dallis take the field during the Lions game? It depends on if the Bears end up needing that cornerback depth. Either way, it’s a slight change to the lineup that could make a big difference.
Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown Sends Message to Ben Johnson
As mentioned above, if the Lions want to be contenders in the NFC North, they’re going to have to win this weekend’s game against the Bears. Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown says that the Lions are ready to do what it takes to win and will not disappoint the Motor City.
In a chat on his “St. Brown Podcast” on Monday, September 8, St. Brown talked about the upcoming matchup. His four-word message to Johnson was, “We all booing him.” Ouch.
For full context, St. Brown said, “Week 2 is going to be so crazy. I promise you. It’s going to be so electric. But as soon as Ben (Johnson) walks in there, we’re booing him. I don’t give a … We all booing him.”
Chicago Bears receiver Rome Odunze was a guest on the show, and he said, “Yeah, he (Johnson) said it’s going to be lit, I’m not going to lie. And I’m here for it.”
So, bring it on. The rivalry between the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears has never been hotter, and both of these teams want to win this Sunday’s game so badly. Let the fun begin.
