The Cleveland Browns trimmed their quarterback roster from four to three ahead of the NFL's cut-down deadline, placing Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve with a back injury while designating him to return after the first four games. Gabriel, the No. 94 pick in the 2025 draft, started the preseason finale against the Patriots and threw three touchdown passes before sustaining the injury. The Browns will carry Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and rookie Taylen Green as their initial 53-man quarterbacks.

Watson and Sanders were held out of the preseason finale after extensive work in training camp and early preseason games. Green, a sixth-round pick, played in the second half of the Patriots game, completing 5 of 7 passes for 27 yards and rushing for a game-high 66 yards on eight carries. First-year coach Todd Monken praised Gabriel's preparation and confidence, calling him 'like having a coach.' The Browns also placed rookie tight end Joe Royer on the reserve/non-football illness list due to personal reasons, making him eligible to return after the first four games.

Monken declined to comment on Royer's 2026 availability.