The Browns are getting another quarterback back in the mix.
Second-year QB Dillon Gabriel has been activated off injured reserve and is set to return to practice, giving Cleveland another option as it sorts through its depth chart. Gabriel, who spent part of last season as the Browns’ starter, now has to work his way back into the picture and try to earn the backup job.
Last season, Gabriel beat out Shedeur Sanders for the starting role. He went on to play in 10 games, throwing for 937 yards, 10 touchdowns, and two interceptions. With his activation, Gabriel becomes the fourth quarterback on Cleveland’s 53-man roster, alongside Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Taylen Green.
The Browns have shown before that they’re willing to carry a crowded quarterback room. Last season, they kept Sanders and Gabriel on the roster with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Pickett was later traded in August before the season opener.
Now sitting at 3-1, Cleveland has added another arm it can lean on if injuries hit or play slips.
Gabriel was part of a larger round of roster moves the Browns made Tuesday. Former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Kalia Davis was also activated, and he should help fill the void after Mason Graham’s injury.
Davis, a fourth-year player out of UCF, signed with Cleveland in March to a one-year deal after three seasons in San Francisco. He has 41 tackles in 33 NFL games.
Cleveland also brought back a familiar face in veteran wide receiver James Proche, signing him to the practice squad after a workout Tuesday. Proche spent two seasons with the Browns before moving on to the Tennessee Titans, where he played last year. His return comes after Tylan Wallace was injured in Thursday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Browns added another defensive lineman as well, signing Chris Williams to the practice squad. Williams, now in his fifth NFL season, originally entered the league with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent out of Wagner College in 2020. He brings 43 tackles in 44 career games.
To make room, Cleveland released running back Eric Gray, punter Wes Pahl, and offensive tackle Xavier Truss from the practice squad.
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