Sports · American Football · 9 hrs ago
Dillon Gabriel’s return could affect Shedeur Sanders’ role with Browns
Dillon Gabriel took second-team reps in practice as the Cleveland Browns prepare for his return from injured reserve.
Gabriel has a back injury and is not activated, so he cannot play against the Tennessee Titans this week.
Shedeur Sanders remains listed as the Browns’ backup to Deshaun Watson, but Gabriel’s practice role could change that when he returns.
Sanders has attempted one pass this season, while Watson has led Cleveland to a 4-2 record.
The Browns’ wins have kept Watson in the starting job, leaving Sanders with little chance to play.
Cleveland could keep four quarterbacks through the November 10 trade deadline while it weighs its options, but no trade request from Sanders has been established.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel has taken second-team practice reps as he works toward a return from injured reserve.
The move could affect Shedeur Sanders’ role as Deshaun Watson’s backup, but Sanders remains No. 2 on the team’s published depth chart.
Gabriel is out against the Tennessee Titans because he has not been activated.
ESPN Cleveland host Tony Grossi said the Browns could keep four quarterbacks until the November 10 trade deadline.
Sanders has attempted one pass this season as Cleveland has started 4-2.
- Who
- Cleveland Browns quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, with Deshaun Watson currently ahead of them.
- What
- Gabriel’s second-team practice reps could affect Sanders’ backup role. Sanders remains No. 2 on the published depth chart.
- When
- During the practice week before the Browns’ Week 7 game; the articles were published on October 23 and 24, 2026.
- Where
- Cleveland Browns practices; the team was preparing to play the Tennessee Titans.
- Why
- The Browns are working through Gabriel’s return from injured reserve, and second-team reps could prepare him for a backup role.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sanders threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns against Tennessee and added a rushing score.
Sanders has attempted one pass as the Browns went 4-2 through Week 7.
Gabriel took second-team reps while working through his return window.
Gabriel was ruled out against Tennessee because he had not been activated.
The Browns’ trade deadline arrives, a point Grossi said could be relevant to the team’s quarterback decisions.
- Gabriel’s status
- On injured reserve with a back injury; ruled out against Tennessee
- Practice reps
- Gabriel took second-team reps during the practice week
- Sanders’ depth-chart position
- No. 2 on the Browns’ published depth chart
- Browns’ record
- 4-2 entering Week 7
- Trade deadline
- November 10
3 sources
What people are saying
Dillon Gabriel was taking second-team reps in practice this week
He can’t play in this game because he’s not activated. However, we’re coming up on this. We have to win Sunday first, but this is a big thing.
It’s natural to think something is amiss
The trade deadline is November 10, so they could stretch this out if they want to keep four quarterbacks, which I think they will do. Not for the rest of the season, just until Nov. 10