It turns out the Cleveland Browns will open the 2026 NFL season with three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster after all.
The Browns are placing third-string quarterback Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve (IR) because of a back injury, according to multiple reports.
Gabriel will receive a "designated for return" tag as part of his IR placement. He will be eligible to return to the team as soon as Week 5, though his absence could stretch longer, pending his recovery.
Gabriel suffered the back injury during the Browns' preseason finale, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 25-year-old quarterback underwent an MRI on Saturday after experiencing pain, which revealed the injury.
Gabriel showed no ill effects from the injury during his outing on Thursday,
Aug. 27. He played the first half of the Browns' preseason finale against the New England Patriots and completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
With Gabriel sidelined, rookie Taylen Green will open the season as Cleveland's No. 3 quarterback. The Arkansas product will likely be inactive on game days but will carry the designation of the Browns' emergency, No. 3 quarterback.
Browns QB depth chart
Below is a full breakdown of the Browns' quarterback depth chart with Gabriel now out for at least the start of the season.
- Deshaun Watson
- Shedeur Sanders
- Taylen Green
Watson beat Sanders for the starting job in a tightly contested quarterback battle. The 30-year-old veteran will open the season as the starter, but many expect Sanders, a second-year signal-caller, to eventually take over the role from Watson.
Green played sparingly in the preseason, completing 5 of 7 passes for 27 yards while adding 66 yards on eight carries, but he possesses a strong arm and elite mobility. He will get a chance to develop on Cleveland's 53-man roster to open the season, but the sixth-round rookie's status will be worth monitoring whenever Gabriel is able to return.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dillon Gabriel heads to IR with back injury, shaking up Browns QB depth chart
