Who Should I Start? Malik Willis or Dillon Gabriel

Friday, August 15, 1:13 PM

With Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (thumb) sidelined temporarily after having surgery on his left (non-throwing) thumb, Malik Willis will step into the starting role for the second preseason game on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts. The former third-rounder by the Tennessee Titans in 2022 joined the Packers at the end of training camp last year and made two starts for the team when Love was injured, leading them to wins over the Colts in Week 2 and the Titans in Week 3. Willis has become more confident this year after having a full offseason to work with the offense and had a solid week during training camp practices as the QB1 with Love out of action. However, the first-team offense struggled on Thursday in a joint practice with the Colts. The 26-year-old will be off the fantasy radar in 2025 unless Love misses more games due to injury.

Thursday, August 14, 11:34 AM

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) is expected to start the team's second preseason game Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The rookie third-round pick didn't play in the first exhibition game due to his hamstring issue. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Gabriel will only miss the start if there's a setback or soreness after practices. Gabriel's absence last week opened the door for fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders (oblique) to start the first preseason game. Sanders was in line for an encore start before an oblique injury took him out of the running. Kenny Pickett (hamstring) is also nursing an injury. Cleveland is currently rostering six quarterbacks and may carry four into the regular season. Neither rookie is scheduled for immediate playing time with 40-year-old Joe Flacco widely expected to be the Week 1 starter.