Gary Barnidge Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

The Browns have released TE Gary Barnidge -- not a major surprise after trading back into the 1st round to grab TE David Njoku last night. After an out-of-nowhere 1,043-yard, 9-TD 2015 season, Barnidge mustered just 612 yards and 2 scores this past year. He figures to latch on elsewhere but turns 32 in August and isn't particularly likely to re-emerge as a fantasy asset. Cleveland, meanwhile, is clearly expecting Njoku to play a significant rookie-year role. The only other TEs on the roster are Seth DeValve and Randall Telfer.

The forecast for today's Browns-Bills game calls for a slight chance of snow but winds of 20-30 mph. That's certainly enough to impact the passing games. Hopefully you're not relying on any part of Cleveland's passing attack. Downgrade Bills QB Tyrod Taylor and WR Sammy Watkins a tad, but both are still fine fantasy starters. Expect a heavy dose of RB LeSean McCoy today.

The forecast for today's Bengals-Browns game calls for 1-3 inches of snow and winds of 10-20 mph. We start to worry about the passing games when winds get over 15 mph, so this is a slight concern. Both teams figured to go run-heavy anyway, and the weather will only push them farther in that direction.

Browns HC Hue Jackson said Monday that TE Gary Barnidge "tweaked" a knee in the 1st half of Sunday's loss to the Giants, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. That led Jackson to rotate Barnidge the rest of the way and avoid overworking him. Barnidge still played 76% of the offensive snaps, though. This doesn't seem like an issue that should impact his fantasy outlook -- especially with a Week 13 bye to rest up. The fact that Barnidge hasn't caught more than 3 passes in a game since Week 7, on the other hand, is a good reason to not bother with him.

Browns WR Terrelle Pryor (hamstring) missed practice again on Thursday. He's starting to look extremely iffy for this weekend's game against the Bengals. That'd leave Cleveland with WRs Andrew Hawkins and rookies Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins and Jordan Payton. TE Gary Barnidge and RB Duke Johnson would be good bets to see increased volume.

Browns TE Gary Barnidge (forearm, hip) is active for today’s game against the Titans. We haven’t heard any concern about those injuries. Barnidge is a low-end TE1 for Week 6.

Browns TE Gary Barnidge (forearm, hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Titans. He put in 3 limited practices this week, and we’ve seen nothing to suggest that either injury will keep him out this week. Barnidge is a low-end TE1 vs. Tennessee’s 15th-ranked TE defense.

Browns QB Robert Griffin has been placed on IR with a broken bone in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. It's possible he's designated as the team's player-to-return, but we wouldn't count on seeing RG3 again this year. QB Josh McCown takes over as Cleveland's starter and more than likely will be an upgrade. He completed 63.7% of his passes, averaged 7.2 yards per attempt and tossed 12 TDs vs. 4 INTs last year -- although that was in a different offense. McCown is especially good news for TE Gary Barnidge, who went catch-less on 2 targets in the opener.

Browns TE Gary Barnidge passed his physical, according to insider Mary Kay Cabot. He underwent sports hernia surgery in June and might still be limited at the start of training camp, per Cabot. But Barnidge should be a full-go well ahead of Week 1. Although his stock took a bit of a hit with the reinstatement of WR Josh Gordon, Barnidge is still in the low-end TE1 mix.

Browns HC Hue Jackson told reporters that TE Gary Barnidge had sports hernia surgery Thursday. The team expects him to miss the rest of spring workouts but be ready for training camp. That would give Barnidge plenty of time to prepare for the regular season, and players regularly return fine from this surgery -- with some even playing through the injury. This doesn't alter our 2016 outlook for the veteran TE, especially with no clear challenger to his role on the team.

The Browns have agreed to a deal to make Hue Jackson their new HC.  Jackson has spent the past 4 years with the Bengals; the past 2 as OC.  Cincinnati ranked 15th in total offense in both.  Jackson was the Raiders' HC back in 2011, leading the team to an 8-8 record and a 9th-place finish in total offense.  Generally regarded as 1 of the top offensive minds in the game, Jackson's arrival is good news for Cleveland's offense.  Of course, there aren't many pieces there to be excited about.

The forecast for today's Steelers-Browns game calls for 20-30% chance of snow with 18 mph winds.  That might be enough to break ties against guys in this game, but we're not moving any Steelers or Browns in the Week 17 rankings.  QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Antonio Brown and WR Martavis Bryant remain strong fantasy plays.  TE Gary Barndige is the only reliable option in Cleveland's passing game.

Winds of 23-28 mph are expected for today's Browns-Chiefs game.  That's certainly enough to impact the passing games, although neither team has much of a downfield attack.  Kansas City figures to go even more run-heavy than usual.  Downgrade WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Travis Kelce a tad, but both are still fine fantasy starters.  Browns TE Gary Barnidge remains a solid play.

Browns TE Gary Barnidge (ankle) is active for today’s game against the 49ers. We haven’t heard anything to suggest the ankle will be a concern. Barnidge is a solid TE1 in the plus matchup.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirms that Browns WR Travis Benjamin (shoulder) and TE Gary Barnidge (ankle) are expected to play today.  Barnidge put in 3 limited practices this week; Benjamin 2.  Both guys are viable Week 14 fantasy option vs. San Francisco's 27th-ranked pass defense.

Browns TE Gary Barnidge (ankle) was limited in practice this week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the 49ers. Insider Scott Petrak confirms that Barnidge is expected to play, though, and we haven’t heard anything to suggest the ankle will be a concern. He remains a solid fantasy starter.

Browns QB Josh McCown (ribs) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers after a week of limited practices.  HC Mike Pettine said Friday that he knows who his starter is but refused to announce it.  We'll find out by noon ET on Sunday.  McCown and Manziel will both be just QB2s, but TE Gary Barnidge will get a nice boost if McCown returns.

Browns QB Josh McCown (shoulder) is expected to start Sunday's game against the Cardinals, according to insider Adam Caplan.  We still don't have many details on McCown's injury, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggested that it's not serious.  McCown's availability would be good news for WR Travis Benjamin and TE Gary Barnidge, but he won't be a Week 8 fantasy option vs. Arizona's 3rd-ranked QB defense.

Browns TE Jordan Cameron (shoulder) is inactive for today’s game against the Saints. He’s been dealing with the bum shoulder for over a month now, so Cleveland is smart to hold him out. Gary Barnidge will serve as the lead pass-catching TE but isn’t a recommended fantasy play.

Browns HC Rob Chudzinski revealed Monday that TE Jordan Cameron has still not been cleared from his Week 15 concussion.  Consider him extremely iffy for Sunday's meaningless finale against the Steelers.  TE Gary Barnidge caught 2 balls for 23 yards in Cameron's play yesterday.