PITTSBURGH ― Dillon Gabriel’s return to the active roster ahead of the Browns’ game at the Pittsburgh Steelers wasn’t going to impact the very top of the depth chart. However, it was going to create an interesting question on gameday once Cleveland elected to keep four quarterbacks.
The Browns answered the question ahead of the game with the Steelers, naming Gabriel as the No. 3 emergency quarterback. Rookie Taylen Green was also inactive, but is not eligible to play in any circumstance.
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Browns coach Todd Monken said Oct. 30 that Shedeur Sanders was going to remain the backup.
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Gabriel had been on the injured reserve list from Aug. 30 due to a back issue that flared up the day after the Browns’ final preseason game. He was designated for return on Oct. 6, and finally activated on Oct. 26.
The second-year pro completed 110 of 185 (59.5%) passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions in 10 games as a rookie in 2025. The former third-round pick out of the University of Oregon started six of those before losing the job to Sanders because of a concussion.
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Green, who was taken in the sixth round of April’s draft, had served as the No. 3 quarterback for the first seven games. He did not make an appearance.
The two Browns players who were listed as questionable coming into the game, nickelback Myles Harden (hamstring) and safety Daniel Thomas (ankle), were both active. Right tackle Tytus Howard also will be in the starting lineup after clearing concussion protocol Oct. 31.
The remainder of the inactive Browns players are healthy scratches. They are rookie linebacker Justin Jefferson and rookie center Parjer Brailsford, cornerback Noah Igbinoghene and running back Audric Estime.
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#6 Dillon Gabriel (3QB)
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#15 QB Taylen Green
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#17 LB Justin Jefferson
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#20 CB Noah Igbinoghene
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#36 RB Audric Estime
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#52 C Parker Brailsford
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Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at http://www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Dillon Gabriel to be No. 3 QB for Browns in Week 8 at Steelers
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