Browns activate QB Dillon Gabriel from IR and carry four quarterbacks

The Browns activated quarterback Dillon Gabriel from injured reserve on Monday and waived tight end Carsen Ryan to open the roster spot. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo posted the move Monday afternoon, and ProFootballTalk confirmed the team's announcement.

Gabriel went on injured reserve with a back injury before Week 1. Cleveland opened his 21-day practice window three weeks ago, and Monday was the end of it, so the team had to either add him to the 53-man roster or leave him on IR. It chose to add him.

Here is what's confirmed. Cleveland now carries four quarterbacks on its active roster: Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, rookie Taylen Green and Gabriel. Head coach Todd Monken said this summer that he was comfortable with that setup, and he said so again at his Monday press conference before the move. Ryan, the tight end who was let go, played in six games and spent nearly all of that time on special teams.

What the move does not change is the depth chart at the top. Watson is the starter. Cleveland Plain Dealer beat writer Mary Kay Cabot wrote on Sunday that Sanders would remain the No. 2 quarterback once Gabriel came back, which puts Gabriel no higher than third.

For RSO owners, that makes this a roster-status story more than a playing-time story. Gabriel is healthy and eligible, but he has no clear path to snaps unless something happens to Watson and the Browns pass over Sanders.

What RSO owners should do now: If Gabriel is on your IR slot, check your league rules, since he no longer qualifies for it and may need to move to your active roster or bench. In superflex and two-quarterback leagues he is a deep stash at best. Don't cut a useful player to keep him, and don't give up anything of value to get him. If you roster Sanders, nothing changes for you.

What to watch next: Whether Cleveland keeps all four quarterbacks or trims one before the next game, how the Browns list Gabriel on the game-day inactive report, and any change in Watson's health or play that would push the team to look down the depth chart.