The injury bug has hit the Cleveland Browns' quarterback room hard early in the 2025 preseason.
But the latest injury-related update involving one of the team's signal callers could open a window of opportunity for Dillon Gabriel, the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist who donned an Oregon jersey last year.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Sanders injured his oblique while throwing during a drill on Wednesday morning and was held out for the rest of the practice session. Schefter later reported that Sanders had suffered an oblique strain, which will keep him out of Thursday's practice and put his status for the Browns' second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles in jeopardy.
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders suffered an oblique strain today, will not practice Thursday, and is unlikely to play on Saturday vs. the Eagles. pic.twitter.com/sDVfMDh6Vz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2025
Injuries are never a good sign, but there are few sports where the "next man up" mentality is as apparent as it is in football. On Saturday, Gabriel could very well be that "next man up."
Gabriel was unable to play in the Browns' preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers dealing with injury of his own — to his hamstring. And with fellow quarterback Kenny Pickett also sidelined with a hamstring injury, Sanders was given the opportunity to start.
Gabriel has since returned to 11-on-11 drills and, despite Sanders' strong performance last weekend, moved ahead of the former Colorado quarterback on the Browns' latest unofficial depth chart, which was released on Aug. 11. Gabriel occupies the No. 3 spot, behind Joe Flacco (No. 1) and Pickett (No. 2), while Sanders is No. 4.
It remains to be seen whether Gabriel will be the Browns' go-to option at quarterback in three days, but every opportunity he can take to give himself a leg up during training camp could pay dividends once the roster shrinks to 53 players.