What happened: The Cleveland Browns returned quarterback Dillon Gabriel to the active roster Monday after his recovery from a back injury, clearing a spot by waiving tight end Carsen Ryan. Cleveland had opened a three-week window on Oct. 6 for Gabriel, a 2025 third-round pick, after placing him on injured reserve with a return designation in late August. Ryan exits the 53-man roster after the franchise selected the former BYU tight end in the seventh round (248th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Why it matters: Gabriel's return adds another arm to a crowded Cleveland quarterback room that featured a third-string competition with Taylen Green while Gabriel was sidelined. The roster move comes with the Browns sitting at 5-2 and holding the AFC's No. 3 seed on a two-game winning streak following Sunday's 27-24 victory at the Tennessee Titans.

What to watch: Ryan now heads to the NFL waiver wire and could be a candidate for Cleveland's practice squad if he goes unclaimed. The Browns will sort out their game-day quarterback pecking order ahead of their next contest.