PHILADELPHIA – As the Browns take the field at Lincoln Financial Field to warm up for the second preseason against the Eagles, they expect QB Dillon Gabriel to start.
After dealing with hamstring tightness leading into Week 1 of the preseason and taking limited reps, Gabriel returned to participating in team 11-on-11 drills on Aug. 11. In the first joint practice with the Eagles, Gabriel took reps in 11-on-11 drills for the second consecutive day, and continued with those team reps during the second day of joint practice.
Their quarterback room continues to work through injuries as Kenny Pickett works his way back from a hamstring injury, but has not returned to participating in 11-on-11 drills. Shedeur Sanders sustained an oblique strain during the early portion of the first joint practice and did not practice on the second day with the Eagles. He is "unlikely" to play in the second preseason game against Philadelphia.
"Felt it early, I think, warming up and then felt it throughout individuals, so took a look at it," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "When it's a quarterback, you kind of need that muscle to throw. So unfortunately, going to put him down for a little bit here. We'll treat it day to day and see how he responds. But want to be smart because he's a thrower, so you can't push that thing."
QB Joe Flacco will also not play for the second consecutive week. While healthy, Stefanski said on Aug. 14 that Flacco would not play.
