Second thoughts: Shedeur Sanders will get a full workload this week as expected Browns starter Sunday in Las Vegas

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.

Second thoughts on Ravens 23, Browns 16 …

1. In all probability, Shedeur Sanders will make his NFL starting debut Sunday against the Raiders in Las Vegas -- an appropriate venue considering Sanders’ undeniable star power. Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t make it official on Monday, but he said Dillon Gabriel was still in concussion protocol and he would have an update on his starting QB on Wednesday. Since Tuesday is the day coaches huddle up to write the game plan, they have to consider Sanders the starter to jumpstart his much-needed practice week as early as possible. Sanders hinted as much after his second-half emergency performance against the Ravens on Sunday. “I just think overall we got to go [practice] next week and understand … we have a week to prepare stuff I like to do,” Sanders said.

2. There’s not much to say about Sanders’ relief outing (4 of 16 passing for 47 yards, one interception, and sacks of 11 and 14 yards; plus three runs for 16 yards) other than he should play better after a week of practice with the first team. “I think you learn from every single play that you’re out there and there’s always lessons to be learned and obviously there’s always going to be good and there’s always going to be bad,” Stefanski said. “And that’s just part of playing and getting reps. And then part of learning is taking all those coaching points that come with those reps. All those physical reps, I think, add up and will only improve as he continues to get turns.”

3. The challenge for Sanders will increase. Now the Raiders and future opponents have some recent game tape to analyze Sanders' game. He was slow in reacting to Baltimore’s blitzes, retreated from the pocket without going through his progressions, and was quick to scramble. Sanders’ fearlessness in throwing downfield, however, would seem a welcome change from Gabriel’s check-down propensity and something for opponents to prepare for. Is he more fun to watch than Gabriel? Yes. Can he play within the structure of Stefanski’s offense? We’ll see. We’ll also see if Sanders’ gunslinger mentality will force Stefanski out of his offensive structure, which hasn’t produced much to get excited about, anyway.

4. Another challenge for Sanders is one Gabriel, and Joe Flacco before him, faced – offensive tackle issues. Both left tackle Cam Robinson and right tackle Jack Conklin will open the practice week with knee injuries. They are “day to day,” Stefanski said. Replacements would be KT Leveston at left tackle and Teven Jenkins at right tackle. The Browns are likely to field their ninth different starting offensive line configuration in 11 games in Las Vegas.

5. Former Browns quarterback and franchise icon Bernie Kosar completed a liver transplant surgery on Monday and followed it with another positive update via video. “Hey, I'm out and I'm feeling good. Just ready to enjoy the rest of the week and the rest of our lives," the ever-positive Kosar said via social media from his hospital bed. Kosar has documented his health issues in detail and has received an outpouring of support from his many fans who recognize him as the last great Browns quarterback. Count Stefanski among them. The coach has exchanged texts with Kosar during Kosar’s health ordeal. “I mean, Bernie’s my guy,” Stefanski said. “I know that this town has such a special relationship with Bernie from his playing days and then the impact that he’s had on this community over the course of all these years. I didn’t have that experience with Bernie prior to coming here, but since I’ve been here, he has just been such a supportive person of me, so kind to my family. I think he sees my family every game day and just is so good to them. So, he’s a special person. He’s a special Cleveland Brown, and we are all rooting for him and we are all right there with him right now.”

6. Marty Schottenheimer, Kosar’s first coach with the Browns in the 1980s, is among nine coaching semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Schottenheimer’s candidacy will be thoroughly reviewed in a meeting of a special Hall of Fame Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday. Schottenheimer (46-31 overall and four playoff appearances from 1984-88) is the last Browns coach to leave the franchise with a winning record. I will be presenting his case in the meeting. He is up against Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Dan Reeves, George Seifert and Mike Shanahan. Only one will be advanced to the finalist round and voted on by the full selection committee in January.