Browns to Activate Dillon Gabriel by Wednesday
The team plans to keep four quarterbacks on their active roster following the close of Gabriel's 21-day practice window.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Should NFL teams prioritize keeping four quarterbacks on their active roster at the expense of other positions?
The Cleveland Browns are preparing to activate Dillon Gabriel from injured reserve by Wednesday. This move coincides with the team returning Dylan Sampson to the active 53-man roster.
Why it matters
The team intends to maintain quarterback depth while continuing the development of younger players. This strategic approach keeps four quarterbacks on the active roster, despite ongoing injury concerns across the team.
The Browns currently average 17.7 points per game, ranking 28th in the NFL, while maintaining a 53-man total player roster. Their rushing offense ranks 24th with an average of 94.0 yards per game.
The players
Dillon Gabriel
He is a professional quarterback currently finishing his recovery from an injury that placed him on the team's injured reserve list.
Deshaun Watson
He serves as a primary quarterback for the Cleveland Browns and has recorded four fourth-quarter game-winning drives this season.
Shedeur Sanders
He is currently designated as the No. 2 quarterback on the Cleveland Browns roster.
Dylan Sampson
He is an active roster player for the Cleveland Browns who recently returned from injured reserve.
Grant Delpit
He is a defensive player for the Cleveland Browns who recently cleared the team's concussion protocol.
The details
Browns management plans to utilize roster spots vacated by players placed on injured reserve to accommodate the surplus of signal-callers. Meanwhile, the team continues to monitor Denzel Ward following a hand injury sustained during Friday practice.
Timeline
Dylan Sampson was activated off injured reserve on Saturday.
Grant Delpit cleared concussion protocol Saturday morning.
Denzel Ward sustained a hand injury in practice on Friday.
Dillon Gabriel's 21-day practice window closes on Wednesday.
Mike Hall Jr. may potentially return to the field next week.
Season Trajectory
The activation of Dillon Gabriel adds a new layer to the Browns' quarterback rotation as they look to improve their 28th-ranked scoring offense. This roster adjustment occurs as the team prepares for a critical upcoming game in Pittsburgh.
Keeping four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster necessitates specific trade-offs in depth at other positional groups like the offensive line. Readers tracking team performance should monitor how this limited depth affects the 17.7 points per game average.
The takeaway
The Browns are prioritizing depth at the quarterback position even while managing significant injuries on the defensive and offensive lines. Fans should watch for how this heavy investment in signal-callers impacts the team's overall offensive efficiency in upcoming weeks.
What happens next
Dillon Gabriel is set to be officially activated by Wednesday at the conclusion of his practice window.
Further reading
For more updates on team news, visit Cleveland Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
Live Poll
Should NFL teams prioritize keeping four quarterbacks on their active roster at the expense of other positions?
