Dillon Gabriel ready to lead Cleveland Browns after injury setback against Philadelphia Eagles in crucial preseason test

Dillon Gabriel will make his first NFL appearance on Saturday, August 17, 2025, when the Cleveland Browns face the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Cleveland Browns confirmed on Friday that the rookie quarterback will start after missing last week’s game against the Carolina Panthers with a hamstring injury. With Kenny Pickett and Shedeur Sanders both sidelined, Dillon Gabriel now gets a big chance to lead the offense and show his value in the preseason.

Dillon Gabriel leads the Cleveland Browns offense for the first time

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed during Friday’s practice in Berea, Ohio that Dillon Gabriel will take the first snaps and is expected to play the entire first quarter.“He earned this chance and has done everything the right way during training camp,” Kevin Stefanski said when speaking with Cleveland.com.

After Dillon Gabriel, newly signed backup quarterback Tyler Huntley will take over. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is not expected to play at all in the preseason to avoid unnecessary risk. The team still has not named its regular-season starter, but Joe Flacco is believed to be the frontrunner.

Also Read:

“Exactly What We Wanted”: Patrick Mahomes And Brittany Mahomes Reveal A Hidden Moment During Daughter Golden Raye’s Birth

Dillon Gabriel ready for full-speed NFL moment after injury setback

Dillon Gabriel told reporters on Friday in Cleveland that he feels “100 percent” after recovering from his hamstring injury. “It has been a long wait, but I am very excited to finally get a chance to lead this team,” Dillon Gabriel said during his locker room interview.The Philadelphia Eagles, meanwhile, are expected to play mostly backup defenders in Saturday’s matchup. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed that most of the starters will rest. The preseason game kicks off at 5:00 p.m. ET and will be nationally broadcast on NFL Network.