Browns make Dillon Gabriel move due to mysterious back injury

The Cleveland Browns operate a little differently when it comes to the quarterback position. Of course, the team has started 42 different players under center since the turn of the century, far and away the most in the NFL. Furthermore, after Deshaun Watson won this year’s quarterback competition over Shedeur Sanders, reports suggested that the team could roster four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster, with Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green being the other players who’d make the team. That idea was polarizing, as although the team has very well-known signal callers, most franchises only roster two or sometimes three players on the 53-man roster.

Ultimately, the Browns didn’t end up placing all four QBs on the roster, but they didn’t cut any of them either. Instead, Dillon Gabriel will start the season on the injured reserve with a designation to return. The second-year player reportedly hurt his back during the Browns’ preseason finale. When pain continued on Aug. 30, the Oregon product received an MRI. Gabriel will now have to sit out the first four games of the season.

Gabriel was drafted 94th overall in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, even before Sanders was selected. He had 937 yards and seven touchdowns through six starts last season. The quarterback has struggled with both injury issues and on-field production, but the Browns have a premier draft investment in him nonetheless.

While Watson is beginning the season as Cleveland’s quarterback, it would come as little surprise if Sanders takes over sooner rather than later. Watson is on an expiring contract, has already gained the label of being a huge trade and contract mistake, and is much older. The rebuilding Browns could look to give a youngster another chance. Even though Sanders is QB2, Gabriel and Green could certainly see the field, too, as the Browns look to solve their everlasting quarterback problem.

The post Browns make Dillon Gabriel move due to mysterious back injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.