Cleveland

Browns

A limited designation for the first practice of the week is usually nothing to worry about. We’ll assume as much for now. Boston has been racking up targets and air yards without much to show for it in his box scores over the past month. He hasn’t eclipsed 50 yards in a game since Week 4. A date with New Orleans’ struggling defense should help him get back on track as a WR3 for Week 9.

Cabot said it would be a challenge for Deshaun Watson to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol by Saturday and suit up for Sunday’s game. Watson suffered a head injury in Week 8 against the Steelers and reported concussion symptoms on Tuesday, according to the Browns. Sanders in 2025 was the most inaccurate quarterback in the league and struggled to support fantasy-relevant pass catchers. Harold Fannin could see a boost with Sanders under center after Sanders targeted the tight end relentlessly during his 2025 starts.

Watson took a hit to the head in the first half of the Browns’ Week 8 loss to the Steelers. He was evaluated for a brain injury and re-entered the game. He then reported concussion-like symptoms on Tuesday and entered the protocol on Wednesday. It would be somewhat surprising if Watson is able to clear the protocol in time for the Browns’ Week 9 matchup against the Saints. That would likely mean Shedeur Sanders would get the starting nod against New Orleans. Sanders should only be rostered in superflex formats for now.

That was a career high in both catches and yards for the tight end. Fannin was really the only receiver to get anything going on a day when the Browns still threw for 326 yards. Fannin had a really nice catch-and-run in the fourth quarter where he broke two tackles but was unfortunately forced out at the one-yard line, so it could have been a much bigger day. He played 57 of the team’s 67 snaps and ran a route on 41 of their 49 dropbacks. It was an elite role, but the Browns were also trailing for the entire game, which certainly impacted the game plan and game script. With the Saints on tap for next week, we could see something similar, though.

The good news is that Boston’s route tree wasn’t limited to deep shots, but the bad news is that the production did not follow. The rookie was second on the team in targets, played the most snaps, and ran the second-most routes of any receiver, but the Browns’ passing attack could never get going. Boston was close to a bigger day after he made a great one-handed catch in the end zone, but he could only get one foot in bounds. He’ll continue to be a boom-or-bust option but has a chance to boom against the Saints next week.

Deshaun Watson threw for 324 yards, but almost all of those were to tight ends and running backs. Concepcion did have a nice gain of 24 yards on one catch but was rarely involved apart from that. He did play 55 of the team’s 67 snaps and run a route on 44 of their 49 dropbacks, so the role is great, but the offense and quarterback play will likely keep him an inconsistent fantasy option.

Sampson only had one carry in this game, gaining seven yards, but he was third on the team in targets and second on the team in receiving yards. Early reports show that he played 11 more snaps than Quinson Judkins and ran a route on 29 of the team’s 49 dropbacks, compared to seven for Judkins. Sampson is very clearly the pass-catching back in Cleveland, and a good one too. If this team is going to be trailing often, he’ll have PPR value.

Judkins added two catches on just two targets for 24 yards. The Browns’ offense could get nothing going against the Steelers’ defense, and the Browns’ offensive line was pushed around all day. Judkins also had two carries from inside the five-yard line, including a carry from the one-yard line with 22 seconds left, but he couldn’t convert on either. The Browns should have a bit of an easier time moving the ball against the Saints next week, but if Judkins has a good day, that might be the chance to trade him away. Judkins actually played 11 fewer snaps than Dylan Sampson in this one with the Browns trailing all game, so that gives Judkins a low fantasy floor.

The Browns were never really a threat to win this game. The Steelers only led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, but the Browns gained nine total yards in that quarter. Even when the Browns were able to keep the game close, the Steelers always seemed to answer with a big defensive play, and Watson was sacked eight times. With the Browns trailing by two touchdowns for the entire second half, Watson was able to air it out, but of his 324 yards, 240 of them came to Harold Fannin Jr. and the two running backs. Despite the high yardage totals, it wasn’t really a great showing for Watson, who seemed flustered in the pocket and struggled to connect with his wide receivers. Things could get easier against the Saints next week though, so he remains on the QB2 radar.

Watson was evaluated after taking a hit to the head on the first drive. Shedeur Sanders played the end of the first drive, which ended in a Browns fumble, and now Watson is back in the game.