Cleveland

Browns

Boston will once again play through a lower-body injury. The rookie downfield wide receiver has played unproductively as of late, but he remains a threat to rip off a long gain. He will be catching passes from Shedeur Sanders this weekend. Hopefully, the two form a strong connection quickly.

Fanning popped up on the report with a groin injury, and there was some added concern because that’s the injury that slowed him during his rookie campaign. The removal brings a sigh of relief for fantasy managers, and Fannin could be in for a big day — at least in terms of targets — with Shedeur Sanders at quarterback for Sunday against New Orleans.

Head coach Todd Monken said Watson will be questionable for Sunday’s game, but has already said Shedeur Sanders will make his first start of the season. Watson missed Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices but was upgraded to a limited participant on Friday, although he has yet to clear concussion protocol. The decision to start Sanders likely stems from him working with the first-team offense during the week and the unlikelihood of Watson clearing protocol in time for Sunday’s game.

Sanders will draw the start as Deshaun Watson (concussion) has yet to clear protocol in time to be ready for Sunday’s game. Interestingly, Watson is still expected to be listed as questionable, per Monken, but Sanders will draw the start. We are assuming this decision is based on Sanders taking first-team reps after Watson missed each of the first two days of practice, but this is a nice opportunity for Sanders to show whatever growth he has made since a tough rookie season in which he threw for 1,440 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in eight games played. He’ll be on the low-end QB2 radar on the road against the Saints, who rank 16th in fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs this season.

Watson has not practiced this week due to concussion symptoms he has been dealing with since Week 8’s loss to the Steelers. Unless he surprisingly clears concussion protocol this week, Watson will miss Week 9, paving the way for Shedeur Sanders to make his first start of the season. We will have official word on Watson’s status in a few hours, but at this point, it would be surprising if he does start.

Boston is on track to face the Saints this week, but lower-body injuries have limited his production since Week 4. The Browns are also likely to have Shedeur Sanders under center, adding an unknown variable to the mix as the two players hone their chemistry. Boston is likely just a boom-bust FLEX.

This is concerning. Fannin suffered a groin injury during his 2025 rookie season and underwent offseason surgery to address it. It is possible this is just general soreness, but fantasy managers must closely monitor his practice participation level tomorrow. KC Concepcion operates in a similar role and would directly benefit if Fanning is unable to play this week.

Cleveland’s Mary Kay Cabot indicated yesterday that Shedeur Sanders is seemingly slated to start in Week 9 against the Saints. If that ends up being the case, and Sanders can play well enough, it might be possible for him to steal the starting job from Watson this week. Sanders would be QB2-viable against the Saints.

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.