BEREA, Ohio -- Browns third-round pick Dillon Gabriel is back in the thick of the four-way quarterback competition.
He returns to team drills from his tight hamstring today, coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday.
Unfortunately for Kenny Pickett, who’s also nursing a sore hamstring, he’s not yet ready for those crucial 11-on-11s, which puts him even further behind the eight-ball as Stefanski moves closer to naming his starter for Week 1.
Stefanski wouldn’t say who will start vs. the Eagles in preseason Game 2 on Saturday in Philadelphia, but Gabriel is in play for that assignment barring a setback this week, as is Shedeur Sanders, who had a great debut in the preseason opener vs. the Panthers on Friday night.
By the time the Browns return from this trip on Saturday, Stefanski will decide when to name his starter.
Joe Flacco, who has the edge to start in Week 1, will sit out the Eagles game as will Pickett. Flacco will rest after taking most of the first-team reps in the joint practices in Philadelphia on Wednesday and Thursday.
Gabriel will take some 11-on-11 snaps with the first team offense this week behind Joe Flacco, just like he had been doing being injuring the hamstring just over a week ago. It remains to be seen if Sanders will get any of those choice snaps after his promising debut Friday night. Stefanski emphasized that he’s continuing to bring the young quarterbacks along at an appropriate pace, and their reps will reflect that.
Gabriel, whom the Browns had targeted heading into the NFL Draft, would’ve started the Panthers game had he been healthy, based on his position on the depth chart, which is third behind Flacco and Pickett, and ahead of Sanders.
Sanders brought plenty of excitement to Browns Town on Friday night in throwing two beautiful touchdown passes to rookie receiver Kaden Davis, and putting another touchdown on the board in his nine drives.
But Gabriel is still in play to start the Eagles game, and possible alternate series with Sanders, to see how he handles a start.
As in previous years against the Eagles, Stefanski will rest most of his starters and let the young guys play.
In other Browns news:
Rookie receiver Luke Floriea suffered a serious hamstring injury in the Panthers game and will be out an extended period of time. Stefanski had no detail.
He also didn’t have an update on running back Quinshon Judkins, who’s still dealing with his domestic violence case, and whether or not he’ll rejoin the team anytime soon.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (shoulder) will still be limited today.
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