Browns place quarterback Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve with back injury
7 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 10:39 PM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have placed quarterback Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve with a back injury following the team's roster deadline on August 30. Gabriel underwent an MRI after experiencing pain during practice on August 29, which revealed the severity of the injury. He will be required to miss the first four games of the 2026 season, though he retains a designated for return status. The move alters the team's depth chart, elevating sixth-round rookie Taylen Green to the No. 3 quarterback position. Deshaun Watson remains the starter, with Shedeur Sanders serving as the primary backup. Gabriel had previously earned significant playing time in the preseason finale against the New England Patriots, where he recorded three touchdowns.
- •Dillon Gabriel must miss at least the first four games of the season.
- •Rookie Taylen Green assumes the No. 3 quarterback role for the Browns.
- •Gabriel suffered a back injury that was confirmed via MRI on August 29.
- •Deshaun Watson is the team's designated starter with Shedeur Sanders as backup.
- 10:39 PMYahoo Sports — Browns rookie Taylen Green lands as No. 3 QB after Dillon Gabriel goes on IR
- 10:27 PMESPN — Browns keep 3 QBs on roster, put Gabriel on IR
- 9:04 PMYahoo Sports — Browns QB Dillon Gabriel opens on injured reserve with back injury
- 9:01 PMYahoo Sports — Dillon Gabriel heads to IR with back injury, shaking up Browns QB depth chart
- 8:47 PMcleveland.com — Dillon Gabriel placed on IR for at least 4 games with a back injury; Taylen Green is QB3 to start season: Bro - Cleveland.com
"Taylen Green was waiting for a phone call from the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon on if he made the initial 53-man roster. Green will be the Browns third quarterback for at least the first four weeks of the season after Dillon Gabriel was placed on injured reserve because of a back issue. Coach Todd Monken said Monday that Gabriel felt as if he suffered the injury during a third down run on a zone read during the first half of last Thursday's preseason finale against the New England Patriots.
"Cleveland placed Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve and designated him to return with a back injury, and will carry Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and rookie Taylen Green as the quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster.
"The Browns were originally expected to carry four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, but Dillon Gabriel's injury will alter their plans.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 10:39 PMBrowns rookie Taylen Green lands as No. 3 QB after Dillon Gabriel goes on IR
Taylen Green was waiting for a phone call from the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon on if he made the initial 53-man roster. Green will be the Browns third quarterback for at least the first four weeks of the season after Dillon Gabriel was placed on injured reserve because of a back issue. Coach Todd Monken said Monday that Gabriel felt as if he suffered the injury during a third down run on a zone read during the first half of last Thursday's preseason finale against the New England Patriots.
- ESPNAug 30, 2026, 10:27 PMBrowns keep 3 QBs on roster, put Gabriel on IR
Cleveland placed Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve and designated him to return with a back injury, and will carry Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and rookie Taylen Green as the quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 9:04 PMBrowns QB Dillon Gabriel opens on injured reserve with back injury
Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel will open on injured reserve with a back injury, allowing rookie Taylen Green to start as the No. 3 QB.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 9:01 PMDillon Gabriel heads to IR with back injury, shaking up Browns QB depth chart
The Browns were originally expected to carry four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, but Dillon Gabriel's injury will alter their plans.
- cleveland.comAug 30, 2026, 8:47 PMDillon Gabriel placed on IR for at least 4 games with a back injury; Taylen Green is QB3 to start season: Bro - Cleveland.com
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