The Browns have fired OC Alex Van Pelt and RBs coach Stump Mitchell. Van Pelt has been Cleveland's OC since HC Kevin Stefanski was hired in 2020; Mitchell started his Browns tenure in 2019. We'll see who replaces those guys, but we wouldn't expect sweeping changes to the offense considering Stefanski has always had a big say in the operation.
Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said at Sunday's season-ending press conference that the team still has a "ton of confidence" in QB Deshaun Watson. Injuries limited Watson to just six games this season -- the last of which was a broken glenoid in his throwing shoulder that required surgery in November. “He’s doing great in rehab," Stefanski said. "I’m confident he’ll be ready to roll this spring. He’s chomping at the bit, but he’s doing everything he’s supposed to do when it comes to what the doctors are telling him and as he rehabs through this, but he’ll be ready to roll.” Watson's recovery from that surgery is one question heading into 2024. But the bigger one is his ability at this point. Watson put more bad than good on tape this past year, finishing with a 61.4% completion rate and 6.5 yards per attempt. QB Joe Flacco was much more productive in the same offense down the stretch. Watson can't be considered more than a QB2 in early fantasy drafts. We'll track his rehab.
Multiple reports on Sunday evening indicate that the Browns are signing free agent QB Joe Flacco to their practice squad. The former Super Bowl XLVII MVP visited with Cleveland on Friday, and it's expected that he'll be elevated to the active roster shortly. This move adds much-needed positional depth in the aftermath of the announcement of starter Deshaun Watson's season-ending shoulder surgery. Fantasy managers in deeper 2QB/superflex leagues can consider throwing light FAAB or a speculative waiver claim on Flacco, though it would be wise to temper expectations. It's still entirely possible that the Browns will stick with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center, and they do still have backup P.J. Walker on the roster as well. Stay tuned for further updates.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson suffered a right-shoulder injury in Sunday's win over the Ravens that will end his season. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's a "displaced fracture in his right glenoid." Watson will have surgery, and he's expected to fully recover. That should mean he's ready in plenty of time for the start of 2024. For the rest of 2023, however, this means Browns pass catchers will see decreased efficiency. Watson hasn't been having a terrific season, but he leads P.J. Walker by wide margins in completion rate, TD rate, passer rating, QBR and Pro Football Reference's adjusted net yards per pass attempt. Walker's three games as primary QB so far this year have each included at least 8 targets for lead WR Amari Cooper. The wideout delivered quality receiving lines -- 4-108 and 6-89 -- in two of them but struggled against the Colts in between and has yet to catch a TD from Walker. Cooper caught just 44.4% of his targets over those three contests, compared with 64.4% across the other six. And that number rises further if you remove the Week 4 start for rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (6 targets, 1 catch). The remaining five games have found Cooper catching 71.8% of his targets. Losing Watson hurts Cooper. TE David Njoku, on the other hand, might be least impacted. He averaged 4.0 receptions and 51.7 yards across those three Walker games vs. 4.3 receptions and 37.0 yards per game in the other six. We have updated our Week 11 rankings and are updating the rest-of-season rankings as well.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports "more information is needed" to determine whether Browns QB Deshaun Watson will be ready to play Sunday against the Steelers after hurting his left ankle in the Week 10 win over the Ravens. Watson missed only the final play of the first half and then returned to play (well) throughout the second-half comeback. We'll watch his status throughout the week. P.J. Walker would start if Watson can't go.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson appeared to injure his left ankle in the second quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Ravens. He was noticeably hobbled the rest of the way but was able to finish out the game. In fact, Watson went 14-of-14 for 134 yards and a score in the second half of the comeback win. Watson's foot was in a boot afterward, per insider Mary Kay Cabot, but he said he'll be fine for the Week 11 game vs. Pittsburgh. We'll keep a close eye on his status throughout the coming week.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson completed 19 of 30 passes for 219 yards with 2 TD in Week 9’s win vs. the Cardinals. He also added 22 rushing yards on the ground in the contest. Watson was reasonably efficient in his return from a right shoulder injury, though he’ll have a much tougher test in Week 10. The Ravens’ defense ranks as the fourth-toughest QB matchups per our adjusted fantasy points allowed. He’s best viewed as a passable QB2 in superflex leagues only.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says there's "optimism" from the Browns that QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is back to pre-injury form. He reportedly looked much better in practice this week than he did leading up to Week 7. Watson, of course, lasted just 12 snaps in that game before giving way to QB P.J. Walker. We'd prefer to see a full and quality game from Watson before trusting him in fantasy lineups.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will start Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals, HC Kevin Stefanski said Friday. Watson was listed as a full participant in Friday's practice and took the first-team reps in the portion of practice open to the media, according to insider Mary Kay Cabot. This will be Watson's second time returning from this shoulder injury in the past three weeks. The first go-around, he lasted just 12 snaps before giving way to QB P.J. Walker. There's theoretical upside here in a plus matchup against Arizona, but Watson would be a high-risk Week 9 fantasy play.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) remained limited in Thursday's practice. He said afterward that his participation in practice is part of his rehab plan and doesn't necessarily mean that he's playing vs. the Cardinals this weekend. We're still projecting QB P.J. Walker to start that one but will update Watson's status again tomorrow.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday's practice. It's an upgrade after he was sidelined all last week. The Cleveland media was impressed with the zip on Watson's passes early in practice, but HC Kevin Stefanski wouldn't say whether Watson will play vs. the Cardinals this weekend. We'll keep you updated on his status over the next few days.
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