Dillon Gabriel exited the Browns’ Week 11 loss and was evaluated for a concussion, and he’ll now have to overcome league protocol if he hopes to play in Week 12. As expected, the rookie quarterback is in the concussion protocol, coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters today (including Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal).
[RELATED: Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Exits Week 11]
While it’s uncertain when Gabriel suffered his concussion yesterday, the team believes it occurred with about a minute remaining in the first half, when he was tackled by a group of Baltimore defenders. Stefanski revealed that the QB started showing symptoms during halftime, leading to the decision to pull him from the game.
The coach was noncommittal about the team’s QB plans for Week 12, noting that the priority was getting Gabriel healthy and through protocol. However, Stefanski did admit that the team would consider simply benching their starter for Week 12, paving the way for fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders to garner his first NFL start.
“Yeah, we’ll work through that in the next couple days and this week,” Stefanski said (via Easterling). “I’ll update you guys Wednesday as we get into Vegas preparations.”
Stefanski made it clear yesterday that Gabriel would return to the top of the depth chart once he’s healthy enough to play, so Sanders’ stint as QB1 would be short lived. The Colorado product struggled in his NFL debut yesterday, completing only four of his 16 pass attempts for 47 yards and one interception.
With Gabriel in concussion protocol and Joe Flacco now in Cincinnati, the Browns are currently operating with one healthy QB on the active roster. For those wondering, Deshaun Watson won’t be an option for the foreseeable future. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com writes that while Watson is “coming along well” in his recovery from his ruptured Achilles, he’s still not close to practicing with the Browns. While the veteran is eligible to be designated for return at any time, it seems likely that Watson will be sidelined for the entirety of the 2025 campaign. If Gabriel is forced to miss Week 12, Bailey Zappe would likely serve as Cleveland’s QB2.
Elsewhere on the injury front, Dom Jones is likely heading to injured reserve, according to Easterling. The cornerback suffered a leg injury towards the end of Sunday’s loss. The undrafted rookie has emerged as a key special teamer in Cleveland this season, with the Colorado State product collecting five tackles.
I’d guess at this point in time and probably forever, a random fan from the stands has a better chance at playing QB for the Browns than Watson does.
Hey fans. Open your program to page 50. If you have a little Brownie on the page. Congratulations you’re our starter today
Stefanski – “alright Shedeur get out there and run the offense we custom built around Dillions skillset which are vastly different from yours.”
Shedeur – “coach what about an offense around my skill set?”
Stefanski – “hell no son Dillion 120 a game 31 QBR Gabriel is our starter soon as he’s healthy. Obviously he’s our future and has looked amazing in the offense we built for him. Why would we need to redo our offense? It’s working so far!”
You have to understand that the coach and GM didn’t want sanders they value the other rookie it was the ownership that wanted sanders so guess what if u can’t run the offense the way coach wants it to run that you won’t last probably
Stefanski probably still won’t have Sanders practicing with the 1st team.
I never seriously bought into any “horrible franchise” rhetoric … until this ridiculous Stefanski tantrum over a 5th round QB
I never thought once Shadeur got in and performed terribly, that’d we’d still have people out here still trying to glaze and defend him. Now it’s “because of the playbook,” or not enough reps. Though it’s been reported he’s been getting first team reps a lot more lately. And I didn’t know the playbook caused someone to throw the ball to the other team (twice) and hold the ball for prolonged periods. But hey, he lit it up in college! And you know what, colt Brennan is a HOFer in the nfl right? Right?!
The crazy thing about the ‘the offense is built around Dillion’ narrative is that’s the case for all 32 NFL teams. That’s the entire job of an offensive coordinator – craft an offense that works not for a random QB, but YOUR QB.
And so every time a backup comes in mid game from an injury to the starter, that’s been the circumstance they’ve entered in. Including all the times the backup looked awesome. Including when they won the game. Including the playoffs when they helped their team advance. Including….
The entire Browns organization should be in concussion protocol