What happened: Cleveland made the move while trimming its initial 53-man roster on Aug. 30. Gabriel was designated for return.
Why it matters: The designation narrows Cleveland's active quarterback options to open the 2026 season. Gabriel becomes eligible to return after four games.
By the numbers: Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in the preseason finale.
What to watch: Watch whether Gabriel is activated when first eligible and how Cleveland manages its quarterback roster in the meantime.