Team news: Cleveland Browns

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski at least opened the door a crack that quarterback Deshaun Watson could be designated for return to practice this week.

Stefanski was asked on a Nov. 10 Zoom call about the possibility of Watson's 21-day practice window being opened this week, and his response was, "I'm not sure if that's what we're doing." Previously when he's been asked that question, including last week, he's answered with a definitive "no."

Related players: Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders

The story added Watson has been on the PUP list since the start of training camp recovering from an Achilles injury and he's been involved in meetings and other behind-the-scenes aspects of the team, but hasn't been cleared to begin practicing. Watson had surgery in both October of last year and this past January. Watson's injury happened on Oct. 7 of last season and the story went on to say it was expected to be a seven- to eight-month recovery before being reset by the second surgery in January. The story added Browns have refused to get pinned down to a firm timetable for his return and that Watson's been out of a walking boot for several months.

The Browns activated WR Cedric Tillman from injured reserve.

Tillman is good to go for Sunday’s game against the Jets. Tillman has been out since injuring his hamstring back in September against the Lions. Tillman has talent but we know the quarterback situation has not good all that great so far. Tillman will face a new-look Jets secondary that just traded Sauce Gardner to the Colts.

Kevin Stefanski expects Cedric Tillman to play Sunday.

Shedeur Sanders will be the #2 QB.

Harold Fannin is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Related Players: David Njoku, Jerry Jeudy, Jamari Thrash

It's probably best to avoid this Browns WR room wherever possible, but we've been getting plenty of good production out of the tight ends.

If Fannin were to miss, Njoku should be considered a low-end TE1.

Browns DE Isaiah McGuire (illness) returned to practice today.

Didn’t see LB Carson Schwesinger (ankle), TE Harold Fannin Jr., and WR Isaiah Bond (foot).

Related Players: David Njoku

This isn't a great sign coming out of the bye, particularly after Fannin popped up for his third double-digit fantasy performance of the year in Week 8. If he ends up being cleared, we should consider him a fringe TE1/2 option, but if he were to miss, Njoku should be started everywhere in a very winnable game.

For the second year in a row, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is giving up play-calling to his offensive coordinator.

Coming out of the bye, Stefanski announced in his Monday press conference that Tommy Rees will take over offensive play-calling moving forward.

Related players: Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders

Stefanski said the bye week allowed him to look at things, and he felt like Rees gives the offense a good chance to improve. “I just felt like it was the right time for this,” Stefanski said. The story added Gabriel will remain the starting QB.

Quinshon Judkins out there and participating.

When we last saw Judkins he left his Week 8 game early with a shoulder injury, but was given a day to day tag following that contest. It's great news Judkins is back at practice leading up to this week's game, and we'll certainly keep an eye on Wednesday's injury report. The Browns are traveling to play the Jets in Week 10.

Coming off their Week 9 bye, the Browns are getting a player back on the field.

Cleveland announced the club has opened the 21-day practice window for receiver Cedric Tillman.

Related players: Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, Jamari Thrash

Tillman has been out since suffering a hamstring injury against Detroit in Week 4. He has caught 11 passes for 106 yards with a pair of touchdowns so far this season, the story said. Tillman should jump right back in as the team's WR2 behind Jeudy and slide Bond and Thrash down the depth chart.

Cedric Tillman expected back from IR after the bye.

The Browns passing offense has been a struggle this year, however Tillman did have two receiving TDs over the first two weeks with Joe Flacco as the QB. Tillman was targeted 20 times over the first four games of this season with 11 catches for 106 yards. Of course, Tillman flashed for a four-game stretch last year before getting hurt. During weeks 7-10 last season he was targeted 40 times and caught 24 passes for 302 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He's worth a pickup if he's on your wire, but owners may have to wait-and-see first before plugging him in fantasy lineups.

HC Kevin Stefanski said, “my focus is where we are right now, that’s not my focus,” when asked about starting QB Shedeur Sanders.

Related players: Dillon Gabriel, Bailey Zappe

This is typically a time when a team will make a QB change - as the Browns are heading into their bye week. But there doesn't seem to be much consideration to make a switch at the position, at least based on this three-second clip on X. Gabriel has struggled during his time at QB since the team moved away from Joe Flacco. The Browns are 2-6 and don't seem to have much of a shot at a playoff berth through eight games. A move to Sanders would at least give the fan base a jolt, but it doesn't seem to be a change that will be made for Week 10.

Browns Quinshon Judkins (shoulder) and S Rayshawn Jenkins (groin) are day to day.

Related players: Jerome Ford, Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders

The Browns have a bye in Week 9 so the day to day tag should give Judkins a chance to suit up when we get to Week 10, which is an away game at the Jets. We likely won't hear more about Judkins until next week. If Ford and Sampson are on your waiver wire, it may make some sense to back yourself up during the bye week.