The expectation for the Cleveland Browns in their second preseason game of the year is that Dillon Gabriel will get an opportunity to start.
The former Oregon standout has been sidelined with an injury. Still, given some of the other Browns' injuries, including to Shedeur Sanders, Gabriel now has the perfect opportunity to run away with the race, potentially even earning a starting job if everything goes as well as it can.
It'll be interesting to see what the Browns decide to do with Sanders and Gabriel, as it's clear that while Joe Flacco might be the best quarterback at the moment because of how many years he has in the league, and might even give the Browns the best chance to win because of his experience, going with Sanders or Gabriel is likely the better option.
However, Sanders is now dealing with an injury, which, in some sense, is good news for Gabriel. Head coach Kevin Stefanski states that Sanders is dealing with an oblique strain.
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"Yeah, felt it early, I think warming up and then felt it throughout individual [drills], so took a look at it. If it's a right guard, you can play through that. When it's a quarterback, you kind of need that muscle to throw," Stefanski said, via Pro Football Talk. "So, unfortunately, going to put him down for a little bit here."
"We'll treat it day-to-day and see how it responds. But, want to be smart because he's a thrower — you can't push that thing."
On a day-to-day basis, it's possible that Sanders could be back out there in the Browns' second preseason game, but even if that's the case, Gabriel should get an opportunity to play a good bit. The former Oregon star must take advantage of this opportunity to play.