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Browns place Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve with back injury
Cleveland will begin the season carrying three quarterbacks after designating Dillon Gabriel to return from injured reserve.
Lead
The Cleveland Browns have placed quarterback Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve with a back injury, designating him for return as part of their initial 53-man roster announced on 30 August. Source Source Source
The move means Gabriel will miss at least the first four regular-season games. Source Source
Gabriel sustained the injury during Cleveland’s preseason finale against the New England Patriots, then continued to experience pain the following day and underwent an MRI before the roster decision. Source Source
The diagnosis
The available reports identify Gabriel’s issue as a back injury and confirm the MRI, but do not provide a more specific diagnosis or grade. Source Source
Cleveland does not regard the injury as a long-term issue, according to The Athletic. Source
The designation to return establishes a minimum four-game absence, while the supplied reports do not offer a precise return date beyond that threshold. Source Source
Sporting impact
Cleveland will carry Deshaun Watson, listed as the starter, alongside backup Shedeur Sanders and rookie Taylen Green at quarterback on the initial 53-man roster. Source Source
Gabriel had spent the offseason as the team’s third-string quarterback and was not competing for the starting job, so the immediate depth-chart adjustment centres on keeping those three passers available. Source Source
The absence removes a player who started six games as a rookie in 2025, throwing for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Source Source
Gabriel had also produced a strong first half in the preseason finale, completing 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns before the injury situation emerged. Source
Notes
Cleveland’s first four regular-season games are away to Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, followed by home games against Carolina and Pittsburgh; the next listed game is away to the New York Jets on 11 October. Source
That schedule supplies context for the minimum absence, but it does not confirm whether Gabriel will be available for the Jets game. Source Source
The reports are aligned on the roster move, the back injury and the three-quarterback group, with no conflicting injury timeline provided in the supplied material. Source Source Source
Key facts
5 data points- Preseason finale output
- 12 of 15 passing, 186 yards and three touchdowns in the first half
- Source: The Athletic
- 2025 passing record
- 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions in six starts
- Source: Pro Football Rumors
Sources used in this piece
4 sources