Team news: Cleveland Browns | Page 3

OT Jed Wills (foot), WR Marquise Goodwin (back and RB Jerome Ford (ankle) all back at practice today

Related Players: Kareem Hunt, Pierre Strong Jr

This is late in the week for clearance, which makes Ford's Week 8 fantasy aspirations shaky. The Browns backfield feels a lot like a stayaway in a slate with no Bye Weeks.

P.J. Walker will start Week 8 for the Browns in Seattle, per Kevin Stefanski.

Deshaun Watson is OUT.

With six teams on bye last week, Walker still only managed a QB25 fantasy performance. With the status of both Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt still in the air, the Browns offense will be a stay-away.

A new kicker in LA: Rams are planning to sign former Colts kicker Lucas Havrisik off the Browns’ practice squad, per sources.

Earlier today, the Rams released Brett Maher, who missed two field goals and an extra point in Week 7 against the Steelers.

Browns’ RB Jerome Ford - who left Sunday’s win over the Colts with an ankle injury - was diagnosed with what a source described as a “low grade, high ankle” sprain.

Related players: Kareem Hunt, Pierre Strong Jr.

Schefter said the injury is expected to sideline him 1-2 weeks. Hunt and Strong are next up on the depth chart and the Browns may make another move for a back. Hunt had 10 carries to Strong's 8, but Hunt scored two TDs in the contest. Hunt seems like the back to own and play in fantasy lineups, but Strong could have a role as well. The Browns are at Seahawks in Week 8 and then host the Cardinals in Week 9.

Bears RB Roschon Johnson has one more hurdle to clear concussion protocol but Eberflus said it "looks real good" for him to practice Wednesday.

Related players: D'Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert, Darrynton Evans

With Herbert on IR, Johnson could come back to a significant role in the running game for the Bears if he's back in Week 8. However, Foreman was pretty good in Week 7, scoring three touchdowns and running for 89 on 16 carries. Johnson seemed to be ahead of Foreman prior to being concussed so it remains to be seen if that will still be the case. Foreman added three catches for 31 yards. The return of Johnson should at least put him as the team's RB2, pushing Evans down the depth chart. Evans was a factor in Week 7 as well, running 14 times for 48 yards while adding a six-yard catch. However the game script against the Chargers could be different in Week 8 compared to how things went for the Bears in Week 7 vs. the Raiders. The Bears and Chargers are a Sunday night contest.

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is back to being considered day-to-day.

That’s what head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters in his Monday video conference following Sunday’s victory over the Colts.

Related players: P.J. Walker

Watson sustained a hit on an incomplete pass with 3:13 left in the first quarter and while he was cleared of concussion protocol, Stefanski elected to hold the quarterback out of the game after seeing it was a hit to his shoulder. Stefanski added Watson is "getting better," but now Watson’s status again appears up in the air for the Week 8 matchup in Seattle.

Jerome Ford left the locker room in a protective boot. Right ankle injury.

Related players: Kareem Hunt, Pierre Strong

Hunt busted off an long, early TD run to start off Sunday action, but had to leave the game in the fourth quarter with the injury. That left the RB workload to Hunt and Strong. Ford owners will need to monitor the injury reports this week, but Ford's status is at least in doubt for Week 8. If Ford has to miss time, it would appear Hunt takes over the lead role with Strong also getting some work. The Browns have a later game Sunday at Seattle, so backup plans may be needed.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson was checked for a concussion and eventually cleared.

Watson left the game in the first quarter for what was initially thought to be a shoulder injury but the press box later reported he was being checked for a concussion. Watson went to the medical tent. P.J. Walker, who started last week and was elevated from the practice squad again this week, has taken over behind center. There is no word on why Watson is not yet back in the game, despite being cleared.

Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is on track to play Sunday against the Colts.

Watson will go through a warmup test in pregame but the signs are starting to look good that he will be back under center for Cleveland. But just in case, the Browns did elevate P.J. Walker from the practice squad again. Watson gives the offense a boost and would be a solid QB2 if he plays. Walker would be a borderline QB2 on a week like this with so many teams off. Make sure to check the inactives to see for sure if Watson is able to go.