Andy

Janovich

The Texans didn’t use a true fullback last year, but now they have the option to do so. Rex Burkhead is Houston’s lead back at this moment. These are two true sentences that we have written, and that doesn’t make either of them important for your fantasy football aspirations in 2022.

Janovich was due just over $1.5 million if retained for 2022 but now will become a free agent at the start of the new league year. Janovich was a starter for the Browns and a Pro Bowl alternate in 2021. Considered one of the best at his position, the Browns’ decision to move on says more about the state of the fullback position than about Janovich’s ability.

Janovich was initially placed on the team’s COVID list in mid-November. He’ll be available for Week 13 against the Titans.

The Browns went back into intensive protocol on Monday following Janovich’s positive test. It’s notable because both Baker Mayfield and G Chris Hubbard went on/were removed from the same list just days before Sunday’s win over the Texans. Janovich can still suit up for Week 11 if he tests negative for five consecutive days leading into Sunday.

Signed to a three-year, $5.7 million extension last October, Janovich became expendable in a matter of months since new OC Pat Shurmur’s scheme typically disregards any need for a viable fullback. For reference, Vikings FB C.J. Ham was in on 35 percent of the team’s offensive snaps under Kevin Stefanski last year, additionally seeing 26 targets as a threat in the flats. 27 in May, Janovich should be cleared for Cleveland’s offseason workouts after battling through a torn pectoral and dislocated right elbow last season.

This concludes an injury-plagued season for the Broncos’ fullback, who also missed time with a torn pectoral muscle earlier this year. Janovich will undergo an MRI to determine whether he suffered ligament damage. A rehab plan will be established after that. Regardless, we won’t be seeing him again in 2019. Denver turned to UDFA Andrew Beck, a hybrid tight-end/fullback, after Janovich went down Sunday in Minnesota.

One of the league’s more heavily-used fullbacks, Janovich was carted after what appeared to be a dislocation. Janovich just signed a three-year extension last month.

The deal makes Janovich the league’s third-highest paid FB and will keep him in Denver through 2022. He’s played just 28 offensive snaps this season after missing the first three games with a strained pec, but has suited up in 45 games since joining the Broncos in 2016.

Finally some news not related to Antonio Brown’s meltdown in progress. Janovich’s MRI revealed slightly better news than expected, though his injury will still bleed into the regular season, leaving Denver a man down at fullback. Thursday was a tough injury night for the Broncos, who also lost Austin Fort to a torn ACL. One of the few fullbacks still in circulation, Janovich logged just 10 touches over his 239 snaps last season.

Janovich had surgery. The sixth-round rookie played 235 snaps this season, rushing four times for 33 yards and one touchdown. He also caught five passes.