The quarterback conversation dominated most of the Cleveland Browns offseason, with most of the energy focused on the battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders for the starting job. For a moment, Dillon Gabriel seemed to have a chance to squeeze into the competition, but Watson won the job and has now won five of seven games as the starter.
Gabriel’s preseason back injury landed him on IR, with his return option opened three weeks ago. According to a report this weekend, Cleveland planned to roll with four quarterbacks on their roster this season, an almost unheard-of number for long periods of time in the NFL.
As expected, the Browns activated Gabriel from injured reserve on Monday, at the start of Week 8, 20 days after he returned to practice. Instead of risking losing Taylen Green to waivers, GM Andrew Berry waived TE Carsen Ryan to make room for Gabriel on the roster.
Ryan, the team’s seventh-round pick in 2026, played in six games for Cleveland with 73 snaps on special teams and just two with the offense.
The Browns still have to make a decision on DT Kalia Davis, who returned to practice the same day Gabriel did, but has not been able to practice much since that time. After the 21-day practice window passes, Davis would revert to injured reserve for the rest of the season if Cleveland does not activate him.
Gabriel is expected to slot in as the team’s emergency third quarterback on game days.