Team news: Cleveland Browns | Page 2

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.

Browns TE David Njoku is out for Sunday’s game vs. Miami due to his knee injury.

Related Players: Harold Fannin

This locks Fannin in as potentially the best streaming option of the week, and he should be viewed as a top-10 TE against the Dolphins defense.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters on Monday that the team would evaluate its options at quarterback after Jake Browning’s struggles while filling in for the injured Joe Burrow.

According to multiple reports, the Bengals have agreed to acquire Joe Flacco from the Browns.

Related players: Brett Rypien, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins

Cincinnati will receive Flacco and a sixth-round pick in exchange for a fifth-round pick to complete the rare intra-AFC North trade. We just reported a story earlier today saying if the Bengals do make a change, it will be a QB from outside team who gets the start. Flacco should give the Bengals a steadier option at the position until Burrow is able to return in December. The story pointed out, it's unclear just how long it may take Flacco to get up to speed and if the team will push him to start this week. We'll likely learn more about that as the week goes on.

The Cleveland Browns are benching veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and will turn to rookie Dillon Gabriel as their starter for Sunday's game in London against the Minnesota Vikings.

This likely points toward a reduction in the Browns' league-high pass rate, which would impact a receiving group that's already difficult to trust in fantasy. Gabriel is not a streaming candidate and should be very deep in QB2 consideration for SuperFlex leagues.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that WR Cedric Tillman and DeAndre Carter both suffered multiple-week injuries and are out for Week 5.

Related Players: Jerry Jeudy, Harold Fannin, Isaiah Bond

Without Tillman on the field, we could see a little more action to Jeudy, but if is inefficiencies continue, it might not matter for fantasy; he has caught only 44.8% of his targets to this point. We also saw the most usage we've seen for UDFA Bond with the two injuries in Week 4, but that still doesn't put him above a WR5 consideration.

Sixteen days ago, he wasn’t even on the team. On Sunday, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins made a major contribution to the Browns’ first win of the season.

In his first start, Judkins participated in 36 snaps. He had 19 touches. His 18 rushing attempts generated 94 yards, including Cleveland’s only touchdown of the day.

And look for more from Judkins in the coming games. “He’s a volume runner,” coach Kevin Stefanski said after the 13-10 stunner over the Packers. “Knew that he gets better with touches. He gets his first touchdown, which I’m excited for him, but he’s only going to get better.”

Related players: Dylan Sampson, Jerome Ford

Judkins continues to be under investigation by the league, resulting from a July 2025 domestic violence accusation for which he was arrested but not charged, the story said. It added, depending on the outcome of the probe, Judkins could face a suspension. Stefanski's comments seem to make it clear Judkins in the team's RB1. The numbers suggest it as well as Sampson was the only other back to get a carry, and he had just one. Judkins did have a catch while Ford caught four balls.

Browns unofficial depth chart. Quinshon Judkins now listed as starting RB.

Related players: Jerome Ford, Dylan Sampson

The Browns pretty much used a three-headed monster at RB in Week 2. Judkins had 10 carries for 61 yards and added three catches for 10. Ford had six carries and five catches while Sampson had four rushes and three catches, one of which was a touchdown. Judkins should be the safest play of the three heading into Week 3, which is a tough matchup against the Packers. However, it looks like Ford and Sampson could still be involved, but also look like much riskier fantasy plays.

Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Ravens.

Judkins signed his rookie contract just last week after his pending charges for misdemeanor domestic violence and battery were dropped. His NFL investigation is still ongoing and he met with the league on Wednesday. He practiced Thursday for the first time since signing his contract. He’s unlikely to be thrust into a big role right away, so expect Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson to continue seeing work, particularly Sampson after he caught eight passes in Week 1 against the Bengals.