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Dylan Sampson Dylan Sampson Works as lead back
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:31 PM
Sampson rushed the ball 11 times for 27 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Steelers. He added three receptions on three targets for zero yards.
Analysis: Sampson was able to return from a two-game absence, and he immediately led Cleveland's backfield with 14 touches. That translated to limited production, as he was inefficient as both a rusher and receiver. However, Sampson will likely retain a significant role for a more favorable Week 18 matchup against the Bengals. |
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Raheim Sanders Raheim Sanders Held to 31 yards
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:27 PM
Sanders rushed the ball eight times for 21 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Steelers. He added one reception on two targets for 10 yards.
Analysis: Sanders worked closely behind Dylan Sampson in the Cleveland backfield, logging nine catches to Sampson's 14. Sanders was unable to get much going on the ground, with his longest rush going for only six yards. He should maintain a split in the Browns' backfield heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Bengals, though his fantasy appeal remains minimal. |
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Jerry Jeudy Jerry Jeudy Five catches in win
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 9:54 PM
Jeudy recorded five receptions on seven targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Steelers.
Analysis: Jeudy benefited from the early departure of Harold Fannin (groin) and finally displayed some rapport with Shadeuer Sanders. Jeudy earned seven targets -- his highest mark since Week 11 -- and delivered four receptions of at least 10 yards. As a result, he was able to surpass 50 receiving yards for only the second time in Sanders' six starts. |
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Shedeur Sanders Shedeur Sanders One TD pass in win
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 5:07 PM
Sanders completed 17 of 23 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Steelers. He added four rushes for 20 yards.
Analysis: Sanders was sharp early, completing five of seven passes for 101 yards and a touchdown across Cleveland's first two possessions. He couldn't get much going from there and threw a pair of costly picks on ill-advised throws, but the Steelers were unable to take advantage. Overall, it wasn't a particularly encouraging performance, but Sanders did show the ability to play on time during the Browns' scripted plays and likely endured some additional struggles due to the early departure of Harold Fannin (groin). |
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Harold Fannin Harold Fannin Set to undergo MRI
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 4:58 PM
Fannin, who left Sunday's 13-6 win over the Steelers with a groin injury, is slated to undergo an MRI on Monday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Per Jackson, the tight end's current issue is believed to be an aggravation of the groin injury that he suffered in practice Friday. With the Browns out of playoff contention, the team figures to proceed cautiously with Fannin ahead of the team's Week 18 season finale against the Bengals. The same presumably applies to fellow TE David Njoku, who hasn't played since Week 14 due to a knee injury. |
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Harold Fannin Harold Fannin Won't return Sunday
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 1:40 PM
Fannin (groin) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Steelers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Fannin appears to have aggravated the groin injury that caused him to initially be listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional matchup. He ends the day having secured both of his targets for 30 yards and one touchdown. With David Njoku (knee) already ruled out, Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates and Sal Cannella will operate as Cleveland's available tight ends for the remainder of Sunday's game. |
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Harold Fannin Harold Fannin Leaves Sunday's game
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 12:39 PM
Fannin exited Sunday's game against the Steelers with a groin injury.
Analysis: Fannin approached the game listed as questionable due to a groin injury, so it looks like the tight end aggravated the issue Sunday. Prior to his departure from the contest, Fannin caught both of his targets for 30 yards and a TD. In his absence, Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates and Sal Cannella are available to handle TE reps versus Pittsburgh. |
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Jamari Thrash Jamari Thrash Healthy scratch for Week 17
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 11:05 AM
Thrash (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Analysis: Thrash signed with the Browns on Dec. 15, but the wide receiver has not been able to get on the field for the team. The 25-year-old will be a healthy scratch for Sunday's game with the Browns' offense electing to go with Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Isaiah Bond, Malachi Corley and Gage Larvadain at wide receiver. |
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Dillon Gabriel Dillon Gabriel Inactive for Week 17
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:57 AM
Gabriel (shoulder) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Analysis: Gabriel finds himself inactive for the first time this season, and his shoulder injury appears to be severe enough to prevent him from backing up fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders in Sunday's contest. Bailey Zappe will serve as Sanders' understudy this week. |
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Dylan Sampson Dylan Sampson Ready to play Sunday
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:43 AM
Sampson (hand) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Analysis: After sitting out the Browns' previous two games, Sampson took a questionable tag into Sunday following a trio of limited practices during Week 17 prep, but the rookie showed enough improvement to gain clearance for the penultimate game of the season. Sampson had typically handled a change-of-pace role over his previous 13 appearances, but the 21-year-old could be in store for his beefiest workload since Week 1 -- when he earned 20 touches (12 carries, eight receptions) -- after lead back Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) suffered a season-ending injury in Week 16. Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams should still be involved out of the backfield Sunday to some degree, but Sampson likely profiles as the top fantasy option of the trio thanks largely to his talents as a pass catcher. |
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Harold Fannin Harold Fannin Suiting up in Week 17
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 10:38 AM
Fannin (groin) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Analysis: Though Fannin's status for Week 17 appeared to be in jeopardy after he was added to the Browns' injury report Friday due to a groin issue that resulted in him taking a questionable tag into Sunday, he'll be able to play in the penultimate game of the season and is expected to be a "full go," per Adam Schefter of ESPN. Since Shedeur Sanders took over as the Browns' starting quarterback Week 12, Fannin is averaging 8.4 targets over five games and has strung together a 26-279-3 receiving line to go with four carries for seven yards and another touchdown during that stretch. |
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Harold Fannin Harold Fannin Remains likely to play Sunday
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 6:25 PM
Fannin (groin) is expected to play Sunday against the Steelers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Fannin was a late-week addition to the injury report Friday and is officially listed as questionable, but the rookie tight end said Friday that he intends to play versus Pittsburgh. He's suffered no setbacks, according to Fowler, and ESPN's Adam Schefter adds that Fannin is expected to be full go against Pittsburgh. With David Njoku (knee) out again for Week 17, Fannin is once again one of the top fantasy tight ends due to his projected target volume. |
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Bailey Zappe Bailey Zappe Elevated for Week 17
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 11:19 AM
Zappe has been elevated from the practice squad Saturday in advance of Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Analysis: Zappe will stand to either handle third-string QB duties versus Pittsburgh or act as the No. 2 option behind Shedeur Sanders in the event that Dillon Gabriel (shoulder), who is listed as questionable, can't play. The last time Zappe saw the field was to make a single start for Cleveland in 2024, in which he completed 16 of 31 pass attempts for 170 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. |
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Harold Fannin Harold Fannin Intends to play Sunday
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 1:44 PM
Fannin (groin) said Friday that he plans to suit up for Sunday's contest against the Steelers, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: Fannin was added to Friday's injury report and officially is labeled as questionable for Week 17, but the rookie third-round pick said the Browns are simply being precautionary due to a tweak he sustained during practice. David Njoku (knee) is already ruled out for Sunday's divisional matchup, positioning Fannin to again operate as one of Shedeur Sanders' top targets in the receiving game Week 17. Fannin's status will be made official roughly 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, if not before. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Won't return Week 17
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 12:49 PM
Njoku (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against Pittsburgh, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Njoku is going to miss his third straight game due to a lingering knee injury. The veteran tight end didn't practice at all this week, so he may be facing a challenge to return in time for Cleveland's season finale Week 18 against Cincinnati. Browns No. 1 tight end Harold Fannin is questionable to play this Sunday due to a groin issue, and if he can't suit up, it would likely fall on Blake Whiteheart and possibly Brenden Bates (ankle) to lead the team's tight-end corps. |
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Dillon Gabriel Dillon Gabriel Draws surprising questionable tag
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 12:47 PM
Gabriel (shoulder) is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Gabriel is a late addition to Cleveland's injury report, a seeming indication that he injured his left shoulder at some point this week. In the event that Gabriel isn't cleared for Saturday's divisional matchup against Pittsburgh, Bailey Zappe will stand to be elevated from the practice squad in order to operate as the backup to starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders. |
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Harold Fannin Harold Fannin Questionable for Sunday
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 12:45 PM
Fannin (groin) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Fannin sustained a groin injury during Friday's practice, and the Browns want to see how the tight end feels this weekend before deciding whether he will be available versus Pittsburgh. With David Njoku (knee) already ruled out for the contest and Fannin now questionable, Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates could see added snaps Sunday if Fannin ends up inactive. |
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Dylan Sampson Dylan Sampson Officially questionable for Week 17
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 12:44 PM
Sampson (hand) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Sampson returned to practice as a limited participant during Week 17 prep after having missed Cleveland's prior two contests. The team will provide official word on his status no later than 90 minutes ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. If Sampson is cleared to face Pittsburgh on the road, he'll have an opportunity to handle the starting role in the Browns backfield, while Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders operate as depth options. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Still not practicing
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 11:48 AM
Njoku (knee) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Njoku -- who also logged 'DNP' listings Wednesday and Thursday -- thus appears to be trending toward being sidelined Sunday against the Steelers. If that ends up being the case, Harold Fannin would continue to lead the Browns' TE corps Week 17, with Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates (ankle) also in the mix. |
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David Njoku David Njoku Estimated as non-participant
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 4:20 PM
Njoku (knee) is listed as a non-participant on Thursday's estimated practice report.
Analysis: Njoku did not practice Wednesday and hasn't suited up for either of Cleveland's last two contests, and he appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's matchup against the Steelers as well. The veteran tight end's last chance to take the practice field in some capacity Week 17 will arrive Friday. |
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