What happened: Gabriel is sidelined by a back injury, while Royer is dealing with a non-football illness. Both carry return designations, preserving their eligibility for activation later in the 2026 season.
Why it matters: Cleveland can keep both players off the active roster without ending their seasons. The timing follows reported trade interest in Gabriel ahead of the roster deadline.
By the numbers: Gabriel posted a 157.9 passer rating in Thursday's preseason finale.
What to watch: The next checkpoints are when each player opens his return window and whether Cleveland activates him.