Team news: Cleveland Browns

Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. suffered a groin injury during today’s practice, and the team wants to see how he feels this weekend before deciding whether he can play Sunday vs. the Steelers.

Browns also have ruled out TE David Njoku for Sunday’s game due to a knee injury.

Terrible news for Fannin managers, as he looked to be in a great spot against a Steelers defense ranking 28th in TE aFPA. Hopefully we get some clarity heading into Sunday, as he should be a locked-in volume-based, top-10 option if he's near 100%.

Browns RB Dylan Sampson returned to practice today after being sidelined with a hand injury.

Related Players: Trayveon Williams, Raheim Sanders

With Jerome Ford and now Quinshon Judkins sidelined, we could end up seeing a lot of run out of Sampson if he's cleared by the weekend. The offensive environment obviously isn't perfect, but he would very much be in play as a volume-based RB3 should he suit up.

Browns running back Quinshon Judkins had surgery to repair his fractured fibula and dislocated ankle on Tuesday morning.

The team also announced that Judkins has officially been placed on injured reserve.

Related players: Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders, Trayveon Williams

The Browns announced that the surgery went well and that Judkins is expected to make a full recovery. He is expected to be able to resume football activities at some point in the next 4-6 months, the story went on to say. The Browns are said to be hopeful to have Sampson return to the lineup this week. Raheim Sanders got 11 carries after Judkins went out, so if Sampson is unable to go, it's worth noting Sanders could get an increased workload. Williams also had three carries last week and would likely get touches as well. Those needing help at RB in the finals should keep track of Sampson's status leading up to the Browns game against the Steelers.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters after the game running back Quinshon Judkins suffered a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula Sunday.

A very solid rookie season comes to an end in a very unfortunate way for Judkins, who rushed for over 800 yards and seven touchdowns. Raheim Sanders saw the bulk of the work in the backfield after Judkins’ injury, totaling 11 rushes for 42 yards and added a four-yard reception.

Browns RB Quinshon Judkins was carted off the field with a lower leg injury.

Update: Judkins suffered a broken leg and is being evaluated for a knee injury. His season is over.

It was another one of those injuries where the broadcast wouldn’t show the replay. Needless to say, this is very unfortunate for Judkins, who was having a very nice rookie season. Raheim Sanders has taken the bulk of the rushing attempts in Judkins’ absence.

Browns injury designations for Sunday's game against the Bills:

QUESTIONABLE:
Sam Kamara
Wyatt Teller

OUT:
Jack Conklin
David Njoku
Winston Reid
Dylan Sampson
Denzel Ward
Deshaun Watson

Related Players: Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fannin

It should be another "rookie showcase" for Judkins and Fannin, but even with their heightened usages, they're not necessarily slam dunks in this offense. Consider them both as solid options due to volume.

Browns game status:
J. Bitonio- questionable
M. Corley - questionable
M. Graham - questionable
C. Tillman - questionable
Z. Zinter - questionable
J. Conklin - out
A. Huntington - out
David Njoku - out
Dylan Sampson - out
W. Teller - out
D. Ward - out
D. Watson - out

Related Players: Quinshon Judkins, Harold Fannin

This could help Judkins' floor a little based on some extra third-down work, which makes him a solid RB2 option.

Fannin also locks in as a great TE streamer with upside for a potential top-five finish.

The Cleveland Browns have placed C Ethan Pocic (Achilles) and RB Jerome Ford (shoulder) on injured reserve.

Related players: Dylan Sampson, Quinshon Judkins

While Ford wasn't all that involved in the offense, he did have five receptions over the past two weeks on six targets. That work could end up going to Sampson, which is worth noting as we head to the fantasy playoffs. Sampson is now the clear RB2 behind Judkins and has had 7-4-9 touches over the past three weeks, including 5 catches for 64 yards last week. He's definitely worth picking up as a handcuff if you're a Judkins owner, but even in deeper leagues he may have some stand-alone value.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski says Shedeur Sanders is his starting quarterback for the rest of the season. "He has constantly and consistently gotten better."

Related players: Dillon Gabriel

Stefanski added he likes the way Sanders has approached the game and he's been working hard. In his four appearances, three of which were starts, Sanders has completed 52.4 percent of his passes for 769 yards with five TDs and three INTs. In Sunday’s loss, Sanders was 23 for 42 for 364 yards with three TDS and an INT. He also ran three times for for 29 yards and a TD. Sanders and the Browns travel to take on the Bears in Week 15 followed by the Bills in Week 16, and those could be tougher matchups. The Browns have the Steelers and Bengals to close out the season.

While Kevin Stefanski reiterated he’s thinking week-to-week when it comes to the quarterback position, he noted he’s been pleased with Shedeur Sanders’ progress.

“He wants to continue to get better and better, and that’s the right attitude to have, and that’s why we’ll continue to work,” Stefanski said.

Related players: Dillon Gabriel

Sanders has completed 51 percent of his passes for 405 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in three appearances so far this season. The story added Stefanski said Sanders "had some really good moments" in his second start of the season last week. One would think the team will lean toward Sanders again in Week 14, but it remains to be seen. Gabriel was cleared to play last week but the team went with Sanders.