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Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was made inactive for the team's 32-13 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. Read more: Browns Make Major Decision That Affects Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Future Sanders was added to the injury report on Saturday for a back injury. On Sunday, the team chose to take a cautious approach with the fifth-round quarterback instead of making him the backup option against New England. Bailey Zappe was elevated from the practice squad to serve as QB2 against the Patriots. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel struggled in his fourth career start on Sunday. He went 21-of-35 passing for 156 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in a lopsided defeat at Gillette Stadium. More News: Hot NFL Coach Has High Odds to Become Next LSU Head Coach Following Sunday's game, Sanders provided a strong opinion on the Browns' choice to rule him inactive for the contest. Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Sanders claimed it wasn't his choice to miss the game. Via Cleveland.com: "Sanders told reporters in the locker room after the game that it “wasn’t my decision to sit out” and “I guarantee I’m going to be good” on the injury " Cleveland had Sanders participate in a 15-minute workout session before the game on Sunday. Cabot reported that Sanders looked "fine" during the workout, but he only threw short or intermediate passes. During his postgame news conference, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to say if Sanders had a choice in being ruled out against New England. He said Cleveland didn't feel like Sanders was "ready to play" on Sunday. “He obviously came in Saturday with his back injury,” Stefanski said. “We were hopeful that he’d be able to move around well enough to suit up on Sunday, but put him through a pregame warmup and obviously just didn’t feel like he was ready to play. But he’s getting better every day and I’m hopeful that he’ll continue to improve.” The situation with Sanders continues to be bizarre, as Sanders was still not receiving first-team reps at practice behind Gabriel in Week 8, as Gabriel had when he was the backup to Joe Flacco to begin the season. Cleveland has a bye in Week 9. The Browns will next travel to play the New York Jets on Nov. 9. Gabriel is set to make his fifth-career start against New York.
