This page may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and sign up, make a deposit, place a wager, or make a trade, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Gabriel (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Texans but will serve as the Browns' emergency third quarterback.
Gabriel was the backup to Shedeur Sanders for Week 9 against the Saints. With Deshaun Watson clearing concussion protocol, Sanders will revert to QB2 duties while Gabriel operates as the emergency third quarterback. That means Gabriel is not allowed to play unless Watson and Sanders both leave the game due to injury, illness or ejection.
Gabriel "will serve as the backup quarterback" Sunday against the Saints, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
It was announced earlier in the week that Shedeur Sanders would start Sunday's contest with Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol, and although Watson has not officially been ruled out for Week 9 as of yet, he reportedly will be. That will leave the backup spot to Gabriel, but presumably for only one contest, as the report notes Watson is expected back for Week 10.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dillon Gabriel: Serving as emergency QB in return
Rotowire
Gabriel (coach's decision) is inactive but will be the emergency third quarterback against the Steelers on Sunday, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
Gabriel opened the regular season on injured reserve due to a back injury, but he was cleared to be activated from IR on Monday. He'll be the Browns' emergency QB3 in his return, which means he's not allowed to play Sunday unless both Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders leave the game due to injury, illness or ejection.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dillon Gabriel: Activated from injured reserve
Rotowire
The Browns activated Gabriel (back) from injured reserve Monday.
Cleveland needed to make a decision on the quarterback after opening his 21-day practice window 20 days ago, so he'll now join the 53-man roster as one of the team's four quarterbacks. The Browns figure to make a move at the position in the near future, and perhaps they'll try to gauge trade interest in Gabriel.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dillon Gabriel: Remains on IR for Sunday
Rotowire
Gabriel (back) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
The Browns opened Gabriel's 21-day return window on Oct. 6. If the second-year quarterback is not activated by Tuesday's deadline, he will be forced to spend the remainder of the 2026 season on IR. The Browns have been struggling to make decisions at quarterback, so it remains unclear if the team will activate him, keep him stashed on IR, or waive him once a judgment call is forced.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dillon Gabriel: Ruled out despite full week
Rotowire
Gabriel (back) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Gabriel logged full participation in every practice session during the Browns' Week 5 prep. The quarterback remains on injured reserve due to a back injury, and it appears the team will milk the 21-day practice window until it expires. By keeping the backup quarterback on IR, the Browns save another roster spot for additional players at other positions.
Browns' Dillon Gabriel: Returns to practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Gabriel (back) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.
Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com, coach Todd Monken did not say Wednesday that there was any imminent activation planned for Gabriel, so it seems like the Browns may use most of the 21-day practice window they opened Tuesday to ultimately determine whether he'll be activated. Cleveland already has three healthy quarterbacks on its active 53-man roster, and Gabriel projects to land behind starter Deshaun Watson and 2025 fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders on the depth chart if he is eventually activated.
