Browns benching Flacco, will start Gabriel

The Cleveland Browns are benching veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and turning to rookie passer Dillon Gabriel, the team announced Wednesday.

Gabriel will make his first career start Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings in London.

Flacco will serve as his backup while Shedeur Sanders will remain as the third-string emergency quarterback, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Gabriel becomes the third rookie quarterback to start this season following in the footsteps of Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants passer Jaxson Dart.

The Oregon product, who was drafted in the third round with the Browns, showed flashes of promise during the preseason. He compiled a 67.6% completion rate, one touchdown, and one interception over two exhibition games.

The Browns’ decision to change quarterbacks comes after the 40-year-old Flacco struggled through the first four games this season. In addition to a 1-3 record, the veteran had completed only 58.1% of his passes for two touchdowns and six interceptions.

Gabriel’s first test comes against a Vikings defense led by coordinator Brian Flores that ranks inside the top 10 in points allowed (9th) and yards allowed (7th).

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