Gabriel and Davis practice eligibility before Jets game

The Browns announced Tuesday that quarterback Dillon Gabriel and defensive tackle Kalia Davis are eligible to return to practice, giving Cleveland two potential returnees as it prepares to visit the Jets. The announcement also brought two familiar players back to the practice squad.

The team distinguished the players’ designations. Davis was designated for return, while Gabriel had previously been designated on August 30. Tuesday’s announcement establishes their practice eligibility. It does not announce either player’s activation to the 53-man roster or availability for Sunday’s game.

Cleveland’s unofficial Week 5 depth chart, released earlier Tuesday, lists Deshaun Watson first at quarterback, Shedeur Sanders second and rookie Taylen Green third. Gabriel is not listed. That chart supplies the current order; Tuesday’s eligibility announcement does not identify a change in starting quarterback.

At defensive tackle, the chart lists Maliek Collins and Mike Hall Jr. on one side, with Mason Graham and Adin Huntington on the other. Graham is marked injured. Davis’ return to practice gives the team another player to evaluate without establishing where he will fit in that rotation.

The Browns also signed wide receiver James Proche II and defensive tackle Chris Williams to the practice squad. Proche has appeared in 71 NFL games across stops with Baltimore, Cleveland and Tennessee, including 19 appearances for the Browns. The former sixth-round pick will wear No. 80.

Williams has appeared in 44 games with Indianapolis and Chicago. He previously spent time on Cleveland’s practice squad in 2023 and earlier this season and will wear No. 61. The corresponding practice-squad releases were running back Eric Gray, punter Wes Pahl and tackle Xavier Truss.

Cleveland visits the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, October 11. The Browns list kickoff at 1 p.m. Eastern on CBS. Further roster decisions and the week’s practice reports will establish whether either returnee becomes available for that game.

The distinction for Sunday is whether practice eligibility becomes game-day availability. Tuesday’s announcement leaves that next roster step open.