Browns game vs. Eagles players to watch: Dom Jones, Gage Larvadain push for roster spots

PHILADELPHIA — The second preseason game for a team can often be one where it’s difficult to draw interest because of a lack of star power. Considering the Browns and Philadelphia Eagles just concluded two days of joint practices, that takes away a whole lot of that from their preseason game.

That’s before one gets to the quarterback situation, which has been a mess because of injuries throughout training camp. That was increased heading into the Aug. 16 game with fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders “unlikely” to play, according to coach Browns Kevin Stefanski, because of an oblique injury.

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So where do you look for intriguing players to watch when the starters are certain to not play and the highest-profile rookie on the team is unlikely to because of injury? You take a look at these five players who are making a push to make the 53-man roster, if not a bigger role.

Dillon Gabriel, quarterback

Stefanski has been very coy about whether or not third-round pick Dillon Gabriel would start at quarterback against the Eagles. He did get plenty of reps in the two joint practices, but also just came back to full practice participation Aug. 11 after a week of being limited by hamstring soreness.

Gabriel needs the game reps, which certainly benefited Sanders a week earlier at the Carolina Panthers. The Browns need to see if he could potentially be the backup to Joe Flacco once the season starts, meaning they could move on from Kenny Pickett, who’s also been limited by a hamstring injury.

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If it’s not Gabriel playing against Philadelphia, then that means basically four quarters of Tyler Huntley. That fact alone would seem to indicate it’s going to be Gabriel for at least a couple of quarters.

Gage Larvadain, wide receiver

Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) scores against the Carolina Panthers during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-The USAToday Network via Imagn Images

The rookie undrafted free agent Gage Larvadain has been a camp phenom. So much so that he’s trending toward the “make it” column of the initial 53-man roster.

There’s always work to be done, however. That’s especially true for a player like Larvadain, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 171 pounds.

Larvadain carried his strong training camp into the preseason opener at Carolina. If he can do the same and build off it, this time against the Eagles, that’s making a real statement to be part of the wide receiver room when the first roster comes out.

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Dom Jones, cornerback

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) is stopped short of the goal line by cornerback Dom Jones (37) during practice at NFL minicamp, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]

For much of training camp, Dom Jones was the one wearing the white No. 37 practice jersey, while hometown favorite Luke Floriea was in a brown No. 37 jersey. It’s not just Floriea’s unfortunate hamstring injury that led to him being waived that has brought more attention to Jones.

Jones has found himself in the two-deep at the cornerback position because of a rash of injuries. Martin Emerson Jr. is out for the season with an Achilles injury, and Greg Newsome II hasn’t been a full practice participant since injuring his shoulder Aug. 1.

That has pushed Jones, a 25-year-old undrafted free agent rookie, into a backup cornerback role. The opportunity to show he belongs continues against the Eagles, both in the concluded joint practices and the game.

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Ahmani Marshall, running back

Browns running back Ahmani Marshall with the ball as Carolina Panthers linebacker Bam Martin-Scott defends in the third quarter, Aug. 8, 2025, in Charlotte.

Another undrafted rookie, Ahmani Marshall’s spot seems to be heading to hoping to slip him through waivers and eventually bring him back on the practice squad. He has rookie Dylan Sampson, along with veterans Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., ahead of him, plus the looming potential return, pending any NFL discipline, of second-round pick Quinshon Judkins.

Marshall’s on this list because he’s been impressive in training camp and the preseason with the physicality he brings to every carry. In a running back room lacking a true physical runner, it’s a valuable trait for him to possess.

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It may ultimately come down to a numbers game for Marshall, much as it did previously with someone like John Kelly Jr. Still, while he’s on the roster, it’s still worth watching him run, if for no other reason than the power he possesses.

Nathaniel Watson, linebacker

Aug 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Corey Thornton (31) tries to keep his balance after being tripped up by Cleveland Browns linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

A sixth-round pick in 2024, Nathaniel Watson, who’s better known as “Bookie” by everyone who knows him, seems to be on the edge of the linebacker room. He feels like a lock on some days, and then on the bubble on others.

Part of that is the lack of clarity at the top of the room. There are injuries to Mohamoud Diabate and the legal issues/potential NFL discipline around Devin Bush Jr.

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Watson has the special teams component that he could also lean on in case of a tie. But he just needs to continue to stack solid days on top of each other, especially in game settings like against the Eagles.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns-Eagles players to watch: Cornerback Dom Jones pushing for spot