Oregon Ducks News: Bassa balls out in KC, Dillon Gabriel faces tough task in pro debut

Jeffrey Bassa turning heads in Chiefs camp

In his second-ever pro game Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa continued the smart, alert, physical, hustling play that made him a green dot guy in the Duck defense.

Friday night in a 33-16 exhibition loss to Seattle the Kansas City fifth-round draft pick stacked up six tackles including a tackle for loss after leading the team in tackles in week one of the preseason at Arizona, also with six plus a quarterback hit.

Bassa is making a strong bid for playing time and sticking with the team after linebacker Drue Tranquill suffered a back injury, impressing head coach Andy Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo with his study habits and growth mindset.

Bassa's hustle, intelligence and willingness to ask questions has impressed his teammates, and he's making the most of his opportunities with last year's AFC Champions. In four seasons with the Ducks he made 236 tackles, All-PAC-12 second team as a junior.

Dillon Gabriel draws tough assignment in NFL debut

Working to play through a hamstring strain, Dillon Gabriel is scheduled to start Saturday morning for the Browns as they play a 10 a.m. road game against Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia, televised on the NFL Network.

The Browns coaches and trainers plan to evaluate him in warm-ups; otherwise preseason Week One star Shedeur Sanders will start, despite straining an oblique muscle this week in practice. Gabriel sat out Cleveland's exhibition opener.

It's still a pitched battle for reps and depth chart position in Browns camp, the 3-14 team trying to decide between Joe Flacco, Kenny Picket, third-round pick Gabriel, fifth-round pick Sanders, and recently-acquired NFL journeyman Tyler Huntley.

Sanders completed 13-24 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns last week against Carolina.

Read More: