Report: Dillon Gabriel expected to start at QB for Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Former Oregon quarterback and current Cleveland Browns rookie Dillon Gabriel is expected to start Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported the move pregame.

Gabriel was dealing with an injury and his status was initially unclear for Saturday’s second preseason game. But, with him being healthy and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders being sidelined with an oblique injury, Gabriel got the nod.

Tyler Huntley is expected to play as well while veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett sit due to rest and injury, respectively. It’ll be Gabriel’s first preseason action.

Browns fans went nuts after Sanders’ preseason debut last week. It was an impressive game as in the 30-10 win, Sanders went 14-of-23 passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Despite reportedly receiving the least amount of first-team reps in training camp, Sanders made the most of his opportunity.

“It doesn’t hurt. He put himself in a nice position, especially because everybody else was hurt. Dillon Gabriel, Kenny Pickett had hamstring issues. This is a prime opportunity for Shedeur Sanders to work his way, potentially into that two spot,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said on SportsCenter last week. “Because Joe Flacco, I think the expectation is that he’ll earn the starting job as long as things go the way they have been, he’ll probably start that third preseason game.

“So they’re sort of treating him like a starter right now. But otherwise, this is a blank canvas. He showed accuracy. He’s been accurate in camp, and I know the Browns are really happy with his ability to avoid sacks. That was the issue at Colorado.”

So what does that mean for Gabriel moving forward? His chances to climb the depth chart seemed bleak just last week. But now, he’ll get a shot at meaningful reps against the defending Super Bowl champions Saturday afternoon.

Gabriel was well traveled in college football, playing for UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. He finished his college career (six seasons) with 18,722 yards, 155 touchdowns (an FBS record), 32 interceptions and a 65.2% completion percentage.

Gabriel will lead the Browns out of the tunnel in just a few hours Saturday afternoon against the Eagles. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET.