Team news: Cleveland Browns | Page 2

Anthony Richardson started just 10 NFL games before being benched, but now returns and will be the starter for the rest of the season.

The Colts are adamant they have not given up on him, and coach Shane Steichen noted today he's seen Richardson make strides over the last two weeks.

Related Players: Joe Flacco

Richardson blew up in the fantasy box score in Week 1 (26.1 points, three all-purpose touchdowns) but has been held under 12 points in his five other appearances. He should be kept on benches for now.

After Sunday’s loss to the Bills, Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that Joe Flacco will remain the team’s quarterback “until I say otherwise.”

Steichen didn’t say otherwise on Monday. At a press conference, Steichen confirmed that Flacco will get another start when the Colts face the Jets in Week 11.

Related players: Anthony Richardson

The Colts benched Richardson in favor of Flacco two weeks ago and they’ve lost both games since the move was made, the story pointed out. Flacco was 42-of-62 for 451 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions in the losses to the Vikings and Bills, the story added. Richardson had his helmet on and looked like he was ready to get back on the field after Flacco threw his second INT early on against the Bills, but the Colts stuck with Flacco. It's a winnable game against the struggling Jets this week, and it looks like the Colts continue to trust Flacco more.

The Ravens added wide receiver Diontae Johnson and running back Keaton Mitchell to the offensive mix over the last couple of weeks and they have eyes on expanding both of their roles in Week 11 and beyond.

Johnson played five snaps last Thursday and caught one pass for six yards in the 35-34 win over the Bengals. Johnson played 17 snaps in his first game after being acquired in a trade with the Panthers and head coach John Harbaugh said he’s in line for more work against the Steelers.

Harbaugh said the team plans to ramp up Johnson for this week's game against the Steelers. Those owning Johnson in fantasy may want to take the wait-and-see approach, however, before putting Johnson back into their lineups. We reported on Mitchell's potential increase in work in another news story here on our site.

Colts HC Shane Steichen: Joe Flacco starts at QB vs. Buffalo on Sunday.

Related players: Anthony Richardson

Flacco struggled again in Week 9, going 16 for 27 for 179 yards and an INT. The Colts defense scored their only touchdown of the game. This week the Colts host the Bills, so it won't get any easier for Flacco and the Colts offense. From a fantasy angle, Flacco was last productive back in Week 6 in a 20-17 win over the Titans when he threw for two touchdowns but still only had just 189 yards passing.

Browns TE David Njoku missed practice today with his ankle injury. He missed 3 games with it earlier this season.

Related Players: Cedric Tillman, Jerry Jeudy, Jordan Akins

It would be a huge bummer if Njoku were forced to miss time after putting up great back-to-back performances sans Watson at quarterback. Jordan Akins would be interesting for deep leagues in this scenario, though he only crested 9.0 half-PPR points in one game during Njoku's absence.

While the Colts are benching Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco, they’re not planning for this to be permanent.

That’s according to Stephen Holder of ESPN, who noted on Tuesday that a team source explained that Indianapolis wants Richardson to take a step back, take a break from the day-to-day pressures of being the starter, and try to grow.

“We are not quitting on Anthony,” Holder’s source told him. “That will be the story, but that is not the case.”

The story added that Richardson was pretty devastated by the news, so it remains to be seen how he takes things going forward. The Colts feel Flacco gives them the best chance to win at this point as they sit at 4-4 on the season and certainly in the think of the playoff race as things stand now.

Trade: Carolina is sending wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens, sources tell ESPN.

Related players: Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo

The Panthers get a 5th round pick. It didn't take the Panthers long after rumors were starting to circulate Johnson was in play. The landing spot in Baltimore is interesting to say the least. The big question is will the Ravens consistently throw the ball enough with Travis Henry and Lamar Jackson for Johnson, Flowers and Andrews to keep their fantasy value. It remains to be seen who takes the biggest hit to their value, but the odds seem to favor Flowers here. Meanwhile in Carolina, Thielen is about to return but it's likely time to see what Legette and Mingo can do for the Panthers and the future of their offense.

A QB change for the Colts: Indianapolis is benching former first-round pick Anthony Richardson and turning to veteran Joe Flacco.

Schefter added the Colts coaches met this morning and made the decision. The signs were there after HC Shane Steichen said everything will be evaluated. Reports Monday said the team also met privately with Richardson after he took himself out of the game this past week because of needing a break. It's not really clear if this is a one-week benching or more long term. The Colts are in the thick of things sitting at 4-4 and likely feel that Flacco gives them a better chance to win and remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Sources: There’s a growing belief around the NFL that the Panthers are increasingly likely to trade WR Diontae Johnson before the trade deadline.

Related players: Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Coker

Multiple contending teams are interested, though determining Johnson’s value has been challenging with him in the last year of his contract, the post went on to say. There isn't much reason to keep Johnson in Carolina. He's certainly flashed this year, but it was only with Andy Dalton under center. The Panthers would be able to give the snaps and targets to Legette and Mingo, who were early picks each of the last two seasons in the NFL Draft. Johnson going to a potential contender with a veteran QB would be a huge boost to his fantasy value.

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson asked to come out of Sunday’s loss to the Texans for a play because he “needed a break” after doing a lot of running on the two previous plays.

Shane Steichen was asked at his press conference if Anthony Richardson will be the starting quarterback against the Vikings this week.

“We’re evaluating everything,” Steichen said, via multiple reporters.

Related players: Joe Flacco

Richardson reportedly needed a break during Week 8 action. Richardson missed two games with an oblique injury earlier this year and has completed 44.4 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and seven interceptions in his six starts, the story said. Flacco would presumably return to the starting lineup if the Colts decide that it is time to make a change, the story added.