Browns Will Consider Dillon Gabriel Return This Week
The Cleveland Browns may initiate a practice window for quarterback Dillon Gabriel ahead of Sunday's game.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Football
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The Cleveland Browns are evaluating whether to designate quarterback Dillon Gabriel to return from injured reserve this week. Gabriel has remained sidelined for four games since sustaining a back injury during the preseason finale against the Patriots.
Why it matters
The team must determine how to manage its quarterback depth, as keeping four players on the active roster remains under review. This decision will also dictate whether Taylen Green remains on the active roster or moves to the practice squad.
Deshaun Watson currently holds a 101.2 passer rating, placing him eighth in the league. The Browns enter Sunday's game at the Meadowlands riding a three-game winning streak while the Jets look to recover from three consecutive losses.
The players
Dillon Gabriel
He is a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns who has been sidelined for four games with a back injury.
Deshaun Watson
He is the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns currently ranked eighth in the NFL in passer rating.
Shedeur Sanders
He is a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns who is not currently being shopped in trade discussions.
Jerry Jeudy
He is a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns whose status with the team remains secure despite trade rumors.
Taylen Green
He is a quarterback on the Cleveland Browns roster whose future placement on either the active or practice squad is pending.
The details
Designating a player for return officially opens a 21-day practice window, during which the player does not count against the 53-man roster limit. The team has also clarified that there are no active plans to trade quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, or receiver Jerry Jeudy.
Timeline
September 27, 2026: The team reported having no current trade plans for key players.
October 5, 2026: Article publication date.
This week: The team will decide whether to open Gabriel's 21-day practice window.
Sunday: The Browns are scheduled to face the Jets at the Meadowlands.
Roadmap
The use of the NFL 21-day practice window regulation provides teams with critical flexibility for managing rosters during the middle of the season. This mechanism allows the Browns to integrate recovering players back into the lineup without immediately committing to a 53-man roster spot.
The Browns have not been favored in any of their five games this season, and the current 1.5 to 2.5 point spread against the Jets reflects this trend. Managing the active roster will directly impact the team's available depth for the remainder of the season.
The takeaway
Roster management remains a fluid process as teams navigate injury returns and winning streaks. Fans should monitor the official injury report to see if Gabriel clears the threshold to begin practicing this week.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's depth chart, check out our coverage of Cleveland Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
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