NFL Preseason Notebook

BROWNS 30 PANTHERS 10

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Shedeur Sanders has made an impressive NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns. On Friday night, he completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. His father, Deion Sanders, celebrated his performance on social media. Sanders expressed mixed feelings, calling it a dream come true but admitting he could have played better. The Browns have been dealing with injuries at quarterback, giving Sanders the opportunity to start. Despite some early challenges, he showed promise and even caught the attention of NBA star LeBron James. Sanders was initially projected to go higher in the draft but fell to the fifth round.

LIONS 17 FALCONS 10

ATLANTA (AP) — Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris was in stable condition after he was attended to for about 20 minutes and taken off the field in an ambulance Friday night against Atlanta, with the preseason game ending early. The Lions released a statement, saying: “Morice Norris is in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities. He will remain at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta overnight for observation.” Norris was hurt with 14:50 to go trying to tackle Nathan Carter. When play resumed, Atlanta’s Emory Jones took a snap and held the ball as players from teams stood at the line of scrimmage as the clock continued to run. Finally, with 6:31 left, an official said the game was suspended with Detroit up 17-10.

PATRIOTS 48 COMMANDERS 18

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Tom Brady’s statue, weighing six tons and standing 17 feet tall, has been unveiled outside the New England Patriots’ stadium. Brady, a three-time NFL MVP and seven-time champion, retired in 2023 as the league’s most-decorated player. The Patriots inducted him into their Hall of Fame last year, waiving the usual waiting period. The statue, created by sculptor Jeff Buccacio, features a hexagonal granite base and a 12-foot figure of Brady. During the ceremony, Brady humorously referenced his former coach Bill Belichick and took a playful jab at the New York Jets. Fans and former teammates attended the event.

RAIDERS 23 SEAHAWKS 23

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith and defensive end Maxx Crosby were caught on video making obscene gestures toward Seattle Seahawks fans. This happened before their preseason game on Thursday night. Videos of the incident circulated on social media on Friday. In one clip, Crosby and Smith appear to respond to taunting fans with gestures as they enter the field. A fan’s sign read, “Bigger Bust — Geno Or Jamarcus Russell?” Smith was the Seahawks’ starter for three seasons before joining the Raiders. The game ended in a 23-23 tie.