Browns Make Dillon Gabriel Move After Shedeur Sanders News

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Browns Make Dillon Gabriel Move After Shedeur Sanders News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Aug 31, 2026 3:20 PM ET

Dillon Gabriel of the Cleveland Browns has not been a part of the starting quarterback battle that took place over the offseason. First-year head coach Todd Monken named veteran Deshaun Watson the starter over second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders on Aug. 24, ending the media speculation over who would lead Cleveland for the 2026 NFL regular season.

Gabriel was drafted ahead of Sanders, selected with the No. 94 overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The 5-foot-11 quarterback got the chance to start before Sanders, beginning in Week 5. The former Oregon Ducks standout finished the season with 937 passing yards on a 59.5% completion percentage to go along with seven touchdowns and two interceptions in 10 total games.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) and quarterback Taylen Green (15) throw passes during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Mililani High School graduate suffered a concussion in a Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens, ushering in Sanders to start the rest of the season. Now, it appears another injury is impacting Gabriel.

On Sunday, the official NFL account wrote that Gabriel was placed on injured reserve due to a back injury. The 25-year-old quarterback suffered the injury in Cleveland’s 37-13 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday. The Hawaii native had a fantastic game, completing 12-of-15 passes for 186 yards, three touchdowns and a perfect 157.9 passer rating.

“Browns place QB Dillon Gabriel (back) on injured reserve,” the NFL wrote on X. “Designated for return.”

Browns place QB Dillon Gabriel (back) on injured reserve, designated for return. pic.twitter.com/SzzRjfhunB
— NFL (@NFL) August 30, 2026

Cleveland will open the 2026 NFL regular season on the road at EverBank Stadium to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. ET, with coverage starting on CBS.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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