Dillion Gabriel’s preseason debut is in the books.
It was a mixed bag to say the least.
The Browns’ rookie quarterback turned the ball over twice — including a pick-six — in what otherwise was a solid outing for the Oregon product with Shedeur Sanders sidelined with an injury.
Early in the second quarter, Gabriel, who was drafted in the third round by Cleveland, had a pass picked off by Eagles rookie Andrew Mukuba and returned for a touchdown.
A couple of drives later, Gabriel fumbled on a hand off to running back Pierre Strong Jr. for his second giveaway of the day.
Overall, Gabriel went 13 for 18 for 143 yards in the air, which included 15-plus-yard passes to both Cedric Tillman and Jamari Thrash and a 29-yard pass to Kaden Davis.
He led the Browns during the first half and didn’t take the field for the first drive of the second half.
Cleveland trailed Philadelphia, 13-12, at halftime.
Gabriel is currently one of four quarterbacks, alongside Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, fighting for the Browns’ starting job.
His debut comes a week after Sanders impressed during his first preseason start.
Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers, while adding four rushes for 19 yards.
Hamstring tightness kept Gabriel out of the preseason game against Carolina.
Sanders was expected to play a big role in the Browns’ second preseason game before injuring his oblique in practice earlier this week.