Shedeur Sanders Shows Grit in Browns’ Narrow Loss to Bills, But Injuries Cloud Cleveland’s Path Forward
The Cleveland Browns didn’t get the win they were looking for against the surging Buffalo Bills, falling 23-20 in a tightly contested matchup. But while the scoreboard didn’t tilt their way, the game offered a revealing glimpse into the early development of rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders - and the kind of competitor he’s quickly becoming.
Taking on one of the NFL’s hottest teams, Sanders didn’t shrink from the moment. He showed poise under pressure, toughness through injury, and flashes of the improvisational flair that made him such a compelling prospect coming out of college. Even as turnovers helped swing the game in Buffalo’s favor, Sanders’ resilience stood out - especially after injuring his right pinky midgame.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski highlighted Sanders’ competitiveness and mobility as key takeaways, praising the rookie for staying aggressive and extending plays with his legs. The injury didn’t change his mindset - and that, Stefanski noted, says a lot about the young quarterback’s makeup. There’s still plenty of room for growth, but the Browns like what they’re seeing in how Sanders responds when the pressure’s on.
Coming into the game, Sanders had logged 946 passing yards, five touchdown passes, one rushing score, and six interceptions over his first four starts. He earned the starting job down the stretch after a breakout performance against Tennessee, where he lit it up for 364 passing yards and four total touchdowns. That outing helped solidify the Browns’ decision to give him the reins for the final stretch of the season.
Sunday’s showdown was viewed inside the building as a key measuring stick - not just for Sanders, but for the offense as a whole - against a Buffalo defense riding a three-game win streak. The Bills had been leaning on a strong run game led by James Cook, who had racked up 331 rushing yards and three touchdowns over that span. It was a playoff-caliber opponent, and the Browns wanted to see how their young quarterback would respond.
A Devastating Blow in the Backfield
But the loss didn’t just sting because of the final score. The Browns also suffered a brutal setback in the backfield, losing standout rookie running back Quinshon Judkins to a season-ending injury that cast a long shadow over the postgame.
Stefanski confirmed that Judkins fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle - a combination that will require surgery and sidelines him for the rest of the year. The injury occurred on a short pass from Sanders, with Judkins getting tackled awkwardly by Bills defensive end Gregory Rousseau. It was a tough scene, and the broadcast chose not to replay it due to the graphic nature of the injury.
Judkins had been one of the bright spots in Cleveland’s offense this season. Over 14 games, he posted 805 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 222 carries, adding 142 receiving yards on 21 catches. That’s 947 total yards from scrimmage - production that not only made him the Browns’ top back but also validated his second-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
An Ohio State product and national champion, Judkins brought a mix of power, vision, and big-game experience to the Browns’ backfield. While there were plenty of questions surrounding Cleveland’s quarterback situation entering the season, Judkins quickly erased any doubts about who should be leading the ground game.
Now, with Judkins out, the Browns face a much steeper climb. His absence puts even more on Shedeur Sanders’ shoulders as the team closes out the regular season against playoff-caliber opponents. The focus may shift from chasing wins to accelerating Sanders’ development, but make no mistake - the Browns are still watching closely to see how their rookie quarterback handles the challenge.
It’s not the ending they wanted, but it might be the kind of adversity that helps shape the future.