Dillon Gabriel appears ready to resume competition for a backup QB spot after returning to full practice on Monday. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Last week turned out to be all about Shedeur Sanders.
This week could be Dillon Gabriel’s turn.
The other rookie QB returned to full participation at practice on Monday after being limited with a hamstring issue.
And given the facts that: 1. Kenny Pickett still was limited to 7-on-7 periods with his more severe hamstring issue, and 2. time is running out for the major decisions of who’s QB1, QB2 and QB3, this shapes up as a crucial week for Gabriel as the team heads to Philadelphia for two joint practices and a game on Saturday.
Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t agree with that, of course.
“Honestly, I feel like every day is critical for all these players,” the coach said. “We want to stack these days and make sure we’re getting better. So, I really view every day as very important.”
With Pickett limited on Monday, Joe Flacco took all the reps with the first team in full 11-on-11 periods.
The order of QBs in the first 7-on-7 period was Pickett, Gabriel and Sanders.
There was a period in which the clock read :45 and the situation was to set up a field goal. Flacco took the first reps and his period ended with a sack. Sanders was the only other QB in this period and his time ended in a field-goal attempt by backup kicker Andre Szmyt.
In the next 11-on-11 period, Flacco went first, Sanders second and Gabriel third.
The last 11-on-11 period was red zone (inside the 20). Flacco went first, Gabriel second, and Sanders third.
Stefanski deferred naming his starting quarterback for the Philadelphia game until he knows the availability status of Pickett and Gabriel. He previously said Sanders would get a lot of reps, but declined to say who would start. He also said that he would use the joint practices Wednesday and Thursday to give the starters the majority of reps and the backups would play extensively in the game.
Numbers, please …
Flacco was 7 of 11 with one touchdown to Jerry Jeudy in the red zone period. He also connected on a quick-hitter over the middle to Jamari Thrash that might have went for a big YAC touchdown in a real game.
Pickett was 5 of 5 for three TDs to David Njoku, Jeudy and Cedric Tillman.
Gabriel was 7 of 10 for three TDs to Brenden Bates, Diontae Johnson and Gage Larvadain.
Sanders was 10 of 14 for two TDs to Larvadain on a nicely thrown ball over Donovan McMillon in the right corner and underneath to back Trayveon Williams.
Gage the rage
Larvadain followed up his impressive first preseason game with another good practice (two TDs in 7-on-7s). He also just missed hauling in a long ball down the left sideline with Keenan Isaac in close coverage.
Afterwards, Larvadain enjoyed a pre-scheduled visit to the media tent, which is a rare occasion for an undrafted free agent. It’s a sign that everyone is noticing him now and a roster spot seems closer than when he arrived as an undrafted free agent via Southeastern Louisiana, Miami (Ohio) and South Carolina.
“That’s not my decision,” he said of his chances to make the 53. “It’d be a dream come true. I have to go to Philly and be the same guy, and on and on and on. I appreciate you guys bringing me in here.”
He was asked what his mental approach has been while putting together his fine camp.
“First of all, I keep God first,” he said. “Then I try to get here early. Try to learn as much as I can. Talk to Jerry [Jeudy] a lot, Diontae [Johnson] a lot, talk to DeAndre Carter a lot. They help me out. And just try to be a good teammate. I think when you be a good person and a good teammate, I think the football stuff kind of takes care of itself. Kind of like good karma, if you believe in that.”
Tough break
The hamstring injury suffered by Mentor-native Luke Floriea in the Carolina game was serious enough to keep him out multiple weeks.
So the Browns decided to waive him with an injury designation. Floriea will rehab the injury under the Browns’ auspices and could resurface on their practice squad at some point.
Floriea probably had more catches in the 12 practices than anybody. His 30-yard left-hand only grab of a Sanders’ pass during a scramble drill was the play of the game in the 30-10 win over the Panthers.
“That sucks, man,” Jeudy said. “Luke been out here grinding and doing his thing ever since he stepped foot out here. It’s kind of frustrating, him dealing with that. But Luke’s a baller, so he’s gonna attack his workout, make sure he comes back healthy and do his thing.”
Larvadain said, “I feel like Luke is my brother forever, at this point.”
Brownie bits
Mason Graham was on the field for 13 defensive snaps in Carolina. He was double-teamed on the third play of the game and forced Bryce Young to step into the sack by Alex Wright. Graham’s take on how he did: “I just need to be better on the double-team rush. Keep my pad level down, keep driving my feet, just be more active.” …
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabete was a DNP. Cornerback Greg Newsome was limited. Guard Zak Zinter returned to practice …
In other moves, the Browns waived offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka, designated OT Kilian Zierer as the team’s international player, and signed cornerbacks Christian Holmes and Darius Rush …
The Browns travel to Philadelphia on Tuesday and will have morning joint practices with the Eagles Wednesday and Thursday morning.