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David Njoku David Njoku Questionable for Sunday
Sat, Sep 30, 2023, 12:09 PM
Njoku burned both his face and arm in a household accident and is now listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: It's unclear to what level of severity the burns are that Njoku suffered, but it's likely noticeable the team didn't release any further information regarding the injury. If the veteran tight end were to miss time, expect Harrison Bryant and Jordan Akins to split the workload. |
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Kareem Hunt Kareem Hunt Good to go against Ravens
Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 3:13 PM
Hunt (ribs/groin) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Ravens, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hunt missed Wednesday's practice, but limited participation in sessions Thursday and Friday was enough for the running back to get the green light for Sunday. With Jerome Ford (shoulder) also healthy heading into the Week 4 game, Hunt will likely remain relegated to splitting change-of-pace duties with Pierre Strong. Hunt is set to make his second appearance of the season for the Browns after playing 14 snaps last week against the Titans in his 2023 debut following Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury. |
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Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Questionable for Sunday's game
Fri, Sep 29, 2023, 11:58 AM
The Browns list Watson (shoulder) as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens.
Analysis: Watson, who was a limited participant at practices Wednesday and Thursday, did some light throwing Friday but had his reps capped for the third day in a row, per Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. Head coach Kevin Stefanski previously said that he's hopeful Watson will be available this weekend, despite the fact that the signal-caller is carrying an injury designation into the weekend. Fortunately for those considering Watson in Week 4 fantasy lineups, the Browns kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, leaving fantasy managers with options to pivot to in the event Watson is inactive. If Watson is ruled out or available only in a backup capacity versus Baltimore, Dorian Thompson-Robinson would draw his first NFL start. |
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Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Practice reps capped again
Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 3:38 PM
Watson (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Analysis: Though the Browns listed Watson as a limited participant for the second day in a row, he at least appeared to take a step forward in his recovery Thursday by doing some throwing in the portion of practice that was open to the media, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Easterling notes that Watson wasn't throwing at full velocity, however, with most of his throws being dump-off passes to running backs or Browns staffers. In any case, the Browns maintain that Watson will be ready to start Sunday against the Ravens, even though his right shoulder is still a bit sore after he took a hard hit in last week's win over the Titans. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not Watson enters Sunday's contest with a designation. |
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Jerome Ford Jerome Ford Practices fully Thursday
Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 3:37 PM
Ford (shoulder) was a full practice participant Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Ford was limited in the Browns' first Week 4 practice session Wednesday, but the running back's return to a full activity Thursday paves the way for him to lead the backfield Sunday against the Ravens. Even with the Browns re-signing Kareem Hunt (ribs/groin) and making him active for this past Sunday's win over the Titans, Ford still handled a majority of the snaps (55 percent) on offense and accounted for two total touchdowns and 51 yards on 12 touches. |
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Kareem Hunt Kareem Hunt Upgraded to limited Thursday
Thu, Sep 28, 2023, 3:36 PM
Hunt (ribs/groin) returned to a limited practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Hunt was listed as DNP Wednesday following his season debut in Week 3, but coach Kevin Stefanski has already stated he believes Hunt will play Sunday against the Ravens. The veteran back rushed five times for 13 yards and caught two of three targets for 22 yards versus Tennessee last week. |
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Jerome Ford Jerome Ford Limited due to shoulder injury
Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 3:52 PM
Ford (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: This is the first time a shoulder injury has popped up for Ford, who has 182 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns in the last two games since stepping into the lead role following Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury. A limited showing Wednesday isn't much cause for concern, and Ford can put any doubts about his availability for Sunday's game against Baltimore to rest by practicing fully Thursday or Friday. Kareem Hunt (ribs/groin) and Pierre Strong worked in complementary roles behind Ford in last week's win over Tennessee. |
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Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Limited practice Wednesday
Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 3:47 PM
Watson (shoulder) was officially listed as limited in practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Petrak relayed earlier Wednesday that Watson would be resting his right shoulder in practice. Throwing 102 passes over Cleveland's first three games has led to some shoulder fatigue for Watson, but it isn't expected to threaten his availability for Sunday's home game against the Ravens. |
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Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson Resting shoulder Wednesday
Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 1:18 PM
Watson (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Per Petrak, Watson was resting his right shoulder, but he isn't in danger of sitting out Sunday against the Ravens. While that's encouraging news, Watson's practice participation Thursday and Friday will still bear monitoring. After facing Baltimore, the Browns will have a bye in Week 5, which could allow Watson to properly rest his throwing shoulder. |
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Kareem Hunt Kareem Hunt Expected to face Ravens
Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 12:14 PM
Coach Kevin Stefanski expects Hunt (ribs/groin), who didn't practice Wednesday, to play Sunday against the Ravens, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Analysis: Hunt emerged from his season debut in Week 3 with a pair of injury issues, but it appears as though he'll be available this weekend against Baltimore, barring any setbacks. That's a notion that would be supported by the running back's return to practice in any capacity by the end of the week. |
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Kareem Hunt Kareem Hunt Won't practice Wednesday
Wed, Sep 27, 2023, 11:58 AM
Hunt (ribs/groin) won't practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: In his season debut this past Sunday against the Titans, Hunt was on the field for 14 snaps on offense en route to rushing five times for 13 yards and catching two passes for 22 yards. With a Wednesday absence on tap, Hunt's status in now worth tracking as this weekend's game against the Ravens approaches. If he's able to suit up in Week 4, Hunt would be in line to continue to work in a complementary role in Cleveland's backfield behind Jerome Ford. |
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Jordan Akins Jordan Akins No targets in win
Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 7:05 AM
Akins played 13 snaps and was not targeted in Sunday's 27-3 win over the Titans.
Analysis: Akins had a couple catches the first two weeks, but his reunion with quarterback Deshaun Watson has generally made little impact on the Browns' offense. After being on the field for 23 snaps (32 percent) in season opener, Akins has played a combined 22 snaps (14 percent) in Weeks 2 and 3. |
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Harrison Bryant Harrison Bryant Involved as runner
Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 6:54 AM
Bryant was not targeted but had two carries for four yards in Sunday's 27-3 win over Tennessee.
Analysis: Cleveland's first game without running back Nick Chubb (knee) provided rushing opportunities for unlikely players, as Bryant and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin each saw carries. Bryant had 25 snaps, once again fitting in between David Njoku (52) and Jordan Akins (13) on the tight end depth chart. |
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Cedric Tillman Cedric Tillman No targets again
Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 6:48 AM
Tillman played 11 snaps and wasn't targeted in Sunday's 27-3 win over the Titans in Week 3.
Analysis: That made three consecutive weeks without a target for Tillman, who has averaged 10 snaps per game. He sits on the second tier of Cleveland's wideout depth chart along with David Bell (four targets, 31 snaps) and Marquise Goodwin (four targets, 30 snaps). |
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David Bell David Bell No catches in Week 3
Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 6:44 AM
Bell played nine snaps and was not targeted in Sunday's 27-3 win over Tennessee.
Analysis: Quarterback Deshaun Watson focused his attention on Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore in what was his best game since joining the Browns. Any looks left over for other wideouts went to Donovan Peoples-Jones, as Marquise Goodwin and Cedric Tillman joined Bell among the untargeted. Barring injury ahead of him on the depth chart, Bell's role doesn't seem likely to increase. |
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Marquise Goodwin Marquise Goodwin Shut out as target
Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 6:39 AM
Goodwin played five snaps and was not targeted in Sunday's 27-3 win over the Titans. He had one carry for one yard.
Analysis: Goodwin went untargeted for the first time this season, but he went without a catch for a third consecutive week. The 10-year veteran also saw a season-low snap count. It's clear Goodwin is not going to be a high-volume target unless there's an injury above him on the depth chart. When he has been targeted -- four times through the first two games -- it's been on deep balls, but Donovan Peoples-Jones is also fighting for a field-stretching role in the Browns' passing game. |
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Donovan Peoples-Jones Donovan Peoples-Jones Remains No. 3 WR option
Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 6:35 AM
Peoples-Jones caught three of four targets for 49 yards in Sunday's 27-3 win over Tennessee. He also returned two punts for 11 yards.
Analysis: He had his best game of the season, but he remains well behind Amari Cooper (eight targets) and Elijah Moore (nine) in the pecking order at wideout. Peoples-Jones had the Browns' second-longest play of the game, a 29-yard reception in the third quarter -- his first of more than 20 yards in 2023 -- on the drive that produced the team's second touchdown of the game. He also had a 12-yard grab on a third-and-five during that same drive. Peoples-Jones has caught five of 10 targets for 68 yards over the first three weeks. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Targeted four times
Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 6:20 AM
Njoku caught all four of his targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 27-3 win over the Titans.
Analysis: Njoku once again paced Cleveland's tight ends and was targeted four times for a second straight week. He's yet to have a breakout game with just 92 receiving yards, one reception of more than 20 yards, and zero touchdowns through three games. Quarterback Deshaun Watson had his best day in a Browns' uniform Sunday, but he directed more than half of his throws to wideouts Elijah Moore (nine targets) and Amari Cooper (eight). |
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Pierre Strong Pierre Strong No. 3 back in win
Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 6:08 AM
Strong carried six times for 27 yards and returned one kickoff for 26 yards in Sunday's 27-3 win over Tennessee.
Analysis: In Cleveland's first game without Nick Chubb (knee), Strong (eight snaps) operated as the No. 3 back behind Jerome Ford (40) and the newly re-signed Kareem Hunt (14). Strong had one carry on the first series, then five more on the Browns' final drive of the game. The kickoff return was his first of the season, and it appears he will take those duties from Ford, who is now atop the running back depth chart. Head coach Kevin Stefanski does not want to risk injury to another lead RB by having them returning kickoffs. |
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Dorian Thompson-Robinson Dorian Thompson-Robinson Mops up win
Mon, Sep 25, 2023, 6:00 AM
Thompson-Robinson played five snaps in Sunday's 27-3 win over the Titans.
Analysis: Thompson-Robinson saw regular-season action for the first time since being selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He mopped up on the final drive, handing off five times to Pierre Strong. It would take an injury to Deshaun Watson to thrust Thompson-Robinson into a role with significant fantasy value. |
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