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Jameis Winston Jameis Winston Questionable for Week 16
Fri, Dec 20, 2024, 1:14 PM
Winston (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Winston has lost his gig as the Browns' starter, but coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that Winston could still potentially be the backup to Dorian Thompson-Robinson, according to Oyesfusi. If Winston doesn't get cleared for the QB2 role, Bailey Zappe will handle those duties. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Questionable for Sunday
Fri, Dec 20, 2024, 1:00 PM
Njoku (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Njoku didn't practice either Wednesday or Thursday but was able to return to the field for Friday's session. In terms of the tight end's status for this weekend's contest, head coach Kevin Stefanski told Oyefusi on Friday that Njoku is "very motivated to play. We'll see how he responds to practicing today and make the decision." Either way, with the team kicking off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, Njoku's Week 16 status will be known prior to the first wave of games. |
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Cedric Tillman Cedric Tillman Questionable to face Cincinnati
Fri, Dec 20, 2024, 12:54 PM
Tillman (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Tillman remains in concussion protocol, but the Browns are hopeful he'll be able to play this weekend, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Tillman has missed three straight games after being concussed Week 12 against the Steelers. If he's cleared to play Sunday, he steps right back into a prominent role and plus matchup versus Cincinnati. However, the quarterback switch from Jameis Winston to Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a significant downgrade. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Back at practice
Fri, Dec 20, 2024, 11:42 AM
Njoku (hamstring) returned to practice Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Njoku didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but the tight end's return to the field for Friday's session offers hope that he may be able to return to action Sunday against the Bengals. The Browns' upcoming injury report will reveal the game status of Njoku, who was inactive for last weekend's loss to the Chiefs. |
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Jameis Winston Jameis Winston Working through shoulder injury
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 4:58 PM
Winston (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday's injury report, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: In addition to being demoted to the backup quarterback behind Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Winston is now dealing with an injury to his throwing shoulder. If the injury prevents Winston from suiting up against the Bengals on Sunday, then Bailey Zappe would be in line to take over as the No. 2 quarterback behind Thompson-Robinson. |
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Cedric Tillman Cedric Tillman Still limited at practice
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 4:02 PM
Tillman (concussion) remained limited at practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Tillman, who last played in Week 12, now has one more chance to practice fully ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals. Either way, Friday's final injury report will reveal whether he heads into the weekend with an injury designation or cleared to return to action. If Tillman remains sidelined versus Cincinnati, however, Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore and Michael Woods would be in line to lead the Browns' Week 16 wide receiver corps. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Still not practicing
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 12:14 PM
Njoku (hamstring) didn't participate in the open portion of Thursday's practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Njoku missed Wednesday's practice, so what the tight end is able to do, if anything, during Friday's session will be telling with regard to his chances of returning to action Sunday against the Bengals. If Njoku remains sidelined this weekend, Jordan Akins would be in line to continue to have an expanded role in the Browns passing game. |
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Jerome Ford Jerome Ford Set to lead backfield
Thu, Dec 19, 2024, 7:22 AM
Ford is expected to serve as the Browns' lead running back for the final three games of the season after Nick Chubb was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Patrick Warren of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Ford stepped in for Chubb during last week's loss to the Chiefs and contributed his best effort of the season with 84 yards on seven carries, including a 62-yard touchdown scamper. Cleveland not only will have a new lead back Sunday against the Bengals, but the offense will also feature a new starting quarterback, Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Given the relative inexperience of Thompson-Robinson, the offensive game plan may initially lean on Ford and the ground game. Ford should also see some use on passing downs, though Pierre Strong is capable of spelling him in those situations. |
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Cedric Tillman Cedric Tillman Practices but still in protocol
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 4:03 PM
Tillman (concussion) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Tillman has missed Cleveland's past three games, and while Wednesday's limited session was a step in the right direction, he has yet to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, per Cabot. Coach Kevin Stefanski expressed optimism Monday regarding Tillman's chances of suiting up Sunday against the Bengals, but even if Tillman returns, the 2023 third-round draft pick would be tough to trust in fantasy with the Browns shifting to Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center. |
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Jameis Winston Jameis Winston Confirmed as backup for Week 16
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 11:15 AM
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Winston will operate as the backup to Dorian Thompson-Robinson during Sunday's game against the Bengals, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Stefanski confirmed Wednesday that Winston has at least temporarily lost hold of the starting gig, with the Browns set to make decisions at the quarterback position on a "week-to-week" basis moving forward, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. As such, Thompson-Robinson's chances of maintaining the starting job beyond this weekend will likely hinge on how he fares Sunday, and a poor performance could allow Winston to reclaim the No. 1 role Week 17 or Week 18. Across seven starts this season, Winston completed 61.6 percent of his attempts for 2,038 yards (7.2 YPA) and 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He's also fumbled five times, losing two of them, and threw one touchdown while appearing in relief Week 7. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Still not practicing
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 11:08 AM
Njoku (hamstring) is not in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: On Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that he was hopeful that Njoku -- who was inactive for the Week 15 loss to the Chiefs -- could return to action Sunday against the Bengals. However, with the tight end set to miss his fourth consecutive practice Wednesday, he'll be left with two more chances to log some on-field work before the Browns post their Week 16 game designations. If Njoku is forced to miss a second straight game, Jordan Akins would once again have an expanded role in Cleveland's passing game. |
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Nick Chubb Nick Chubb Moves to IR, out for season
Wed, Dec 18, 2024, 8:44 AM
The Browns placed Chubb (foot) on injured reserve Wednesday.
Analysis: While Chubb isn't expected to require surgery to repair the left foot he fractured in this past Sunday's 21-7 loss to the Chiefs, the injury will keep him sidelined for the final three games of the season. Jerome Ford is expected to step in as the Browns' lead back in place of Chubb, whose future in Cleveland is uncertain. The four-time Pro Bowler is set to become an unrestricted free agent this spring, and while Chubb has said that he would like to finish his career in Cleveland, it's unclear if the organization feels the same. After sustaining a significant left knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season, Chubb didn't make his 2024 debut until Week 7 and lacked his usual explosiveness as a runner. He averaged 3.3 yards per carry -- by far a career-low mark -- and scored four touchdowns over his eight appearances before going down with the fractured foot. |
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Dorian Thompson-Robinson Dorian Thompson-Robinson Confirmed to start Week 16
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 8:31 PM
Thompson-Robinson confirmed that Tuesday that he's been named the Browns' starting quarterback for Sunday's game in Cincinnati, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports. "Obviously excited for the opportunity," Thompson-Robinson said, while speaking to media at a charity event. "Still going to prepare and study the same way I do every week, and looking to go out there and get a win."
Analysis: Head coach Kevin Stefanski will presumably address the change at quarterback when he speaks to the media Wednesday, but the Browns will turn the offense over to Thompson-Robinson after Winston went 2-5 over his seven starts and threw eight interceptions over then last three games alone. Thompson-Robinson -- who came on in relief of a struggling Winston for the Browns' final two possessions of Sunday's 21-7 loss to the Chiefs -- has made 12 career appearances (three starts) across two seasons, rushing 20 times for 125 yards and completing 51.4 percent of his passes for 540 yards, one touchdown and seven interceptions. While Thompson-Robinson brings intriguing rushing ability to the table, he hasn't shown much aptitude as a passer, and the Browns could opt for a more conservative, run-heavy game plan to limit the risk of turnovers that have plagued the offense in recent weeks. Even in a favorable matchup against a Bengals defense that has routinely surrendered big yardage and point totals all season, Thompson-Robinson still represents a low-end fantasy option at quarterback. |
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Jameis Winston Jameis Winston Out as starter
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 11:27 AM
Winston appears set to move into a backup role for Sunday's game against the Bengals while Dorian Thompson-Robinson takes over as the Browns' starting quarterback, Brad Stainbrook of 247Sports.com reports.
Analysis: The quarterback change isn't expected to be confirmed until head coach Kevin Stefanski speaks to the media Wednesday, but the Browns appear motivated to give Thompson-Robinson an extended look under center as the season winds down to better assess whether the 25-year-old fits into their long-term plans. Winston, meanwhile, is on an expiring contract, and has seen his mistakes compound in recent weeks. Since taking over as the Browns' starting quarterback in Week 8 in place of the injured Deshaun Watson (Achilles), Winston completed 61.6 percent of his throws for 2,038 yards (7.2 YPA) and 12 touchdowns over his seven starts, but he's also thrown 12 interceptions and has lost two fumbles while Cleveland has gone 2-5. He tossed three of those interceptions and led just one scoring drive in this past Sunday's 21-7 loss to Kansas City before being lifted midway through the fourth quarter in favor of Thompson-Robinson. |
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Dorian Thompson-Robinson Dorian Thompson-Robinson Replacing Winston as starter
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 11:17 AM
Thompson-Robinson is expected to replace Jameis Winston as the Browns' starting quarterback in Sunday's game against the Bengals, Brad Stainbrook of 247Sports.com reports.
Analysis: Though Winston initially breathed life into a stagnant Cleveland passing attack when he took over for the injured Deshaun Watson (Achilles) as the team's starter in Week 8, he's also been mistake-prone. After throwing a trio of interceptions -- including two in the end zone -- in Sunday's 21-7 loss to Kansas City, Winston was pulled from the game midway through the fourth quarter in favor of Thompson-Robinson, who completed four of nine pass attempts for 18 yards and an interception to go with 16 yards on three carries during the Browns' final two possessions. With a 1:7 TD:INT over 12 career appearances (three starts) through two seasons in the league, Thompson-Robinson hasn't been immune to sloppy play either, but the 3-11 Browns are presumably eager to take a longer look at the 25-year-old as the season winds down. While he brings much more rushing upside to the table than Winston, Thompson-Robinson likely represents a major downgrade for the Cleveland passing game and for pass catchers such as Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore and David Njoku (hamstring). |
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Dorian Thompson-Robinson Dorian Thompson-Robinson Uncertain status Week 16
Tue, Dec 17, 2024, 7:58 AM
Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski has not committed to Thompson-Robinson as the starter for Week 16 against the Bengals, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. "We're still putting [Sunday's] game to bed," Stefanski said.
Analysis: Thompson-Robinson came on in relief of Jameis Winston in Sunday's 21-7 loss to the Chiefs. Winston threw three interceptions and was pulled in the fourth quarter. Thompson-Robinson also threw a pick on one of the two drives he engineered. Winston's had an issue taking care of the ball, having thrown 12 interceptions (and two fumbles lost) over his seven starts. Stefanski may not consider Thompson-Robinson as the Browns' preferred quarterback of the present or future, but he's under contract for another two seasons while Winston becomes a free agent during the offseason. |
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Cedric Tillman Cedric Tillman Could return to action Week 16
Mon, Dec 16, 2024, 12:05 PM
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday he's "hopeful" that Tillman (concussion) will be available for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Tillman has missed three consecutive games while progressing though the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, but it appears that he's trending in the right direction for Week 16. Stefanski offered similar optimism regarding the status of tight end David Njoku (hamstring), who missed Week 15's loss to the Chiefs. Getting both Tillman and Njoku on the field would provide a notable boost to Cleveland's receiving corps behind Jerry Jeudy, a development that would be particularly helpful with Nick Chubb (foot) having suffered a season-ending fracture. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Optimism for Week 16
Mon, Dec 16, 2024, 12:00 PM
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that he's "hopeful" Njoku (hamstring) will be able to suit up for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Stefanski offered similar availability for Cedric Tillman (concussion), as both he and Njoku were sidelined for Cleveland's 21-7 loss to the Chiefs in Week 15. After Jameis Winston was benched in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson versus Kansas City, however, it remains to be seen who will be under center on the road against the Bengals, even if Njoku manages to retake the field. Wednesday's first official practice report will reveal more details regarding the standout tight end's health. |
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Nick Chubb Nick Chubb Not expected to need surgery
Mon, Dec 16, 2024, 11:50 AM
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday he doesn't expect Chubb to require surgery to address the broken left foot he suffered during Sunday's 21-7 loss to the Chiefs, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Stefanski indicated that Chubb is done for the year but that he's facing a "shorter-term recovery time" than he did last offseason, while rehabbing from a severe knee injury, Camryn Justice of News 5 Cleveland reports. Nonetheless, this marks the second year in a row in which Chubb has had his season end early due to injury, and he'll begin his offseason focused on rehabbing. The soon-to-be 29-year-old is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year in March, making his future with Cleveland uncertain. For the remainder of the 2024 campaign, beginning Sunday at Cincinnati, Jerome Ford looks positioned to operate as the No. 1 running back for the Browns, with D'Onta Foreman and Pierre Strong also available as depth options. |
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D'Onta Foreman D'Onta Foreman Could be active Week 16
Mon, Dec 16, 2024, 8:27 AM
Foreman, who was a healthy inactive for Week 15, could join the active roster next week as Nick Chubb sustained a season-ending broken foot in Sunday's 21-7 loss to the Chiefs.
Analysis: Foreman has been a missing person for nine straight weeks since both Chubb and Jerome Ford were both healthy. Ford is expected to carry the backfield load for the Browns with Chubb out, but Foreman could be in the mix. |
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