NFL preseason: Shedeur Sanders shines in Browns debut; Patriots crush Commanders

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders delivered a strong pro debut in Friday’s 30-10 preseason win over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.

Starting and playing until midway through the third quarter, Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, both to Kaden Davis (7 yards and 12 yards), turning a 7-0 deficit into a 14-7 halftime lead.

He also rushed for 19 yards and led another TD drive before exiting with Cleveland up 21-7. Tyler Huntley closed out the game, adding a touchdown pass.


ALSO READ: LeBron James lauds Shedeur Sanders after two first-half TDs in NFL preseason debut

Panthers QB Bryce Young threw a first-quarter TD before giving way to Andy Dalton and Jack Plummer. A scuffle in the opening quarter saw Xavier Legette and Rayshawn Jenkins ejected.

ALSO READ: From Reggie Brown to Damar Hamlin to Morice Norris: NFL’s most devastating on-field injuries

Lions-Falcons game ended early due to Morice Norris injury

Kyle Allen was nearly perfect, throwing more touchdowns than incompletions as Detroit Lions defeated host Atlanta Falcons in a preseason game that ended early due to a frightening injury.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Falcons running back Nathan Carter broke into the secondary, and as Lions safety Morice Norris Jr. went for the tackle, Carter’s knee struck his head. Norris collapsed and was treated on the field before being taken to a hospital in an ambulance.

After one more snap, players gathered at midfield to pray, and the game was called. Allen went 7-for-8 for 120 yards and two TDs, with rookie Jackson Meeks leading all receivers with 78 yards and the go-ahead score. Easton Stick paced Atlanta with 149 passing yards and a TD.

Patriots crush Commanders 48-18

TreVeyon Henderson set the tone for New England Patriots by returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, sparking a dominant win over Washington Commanders in Foxborough.

The anticipated matchup between the 2024 draft’s second and third overall picks never fully materialized, as the Commanders rested QB Jayden Daniels.

Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye played two drives with mixed results - losing a fumble on a strip-sack by Jer’Zhan Newton before capping his second series with a 5-yard rushing score. Maye went 3-for-5 for 12 yards passing and ran twice for 16 yards.

New England totaled four rushing touchdowns. Washington’s Josh Johnson threw for 173 yards with one TD and one interception.