Fantasy Football News

New Browns HC Todd Monken says he's "intrigued" by a QB already on the Cleveland roster ... and it's not a guy who played for the team in 2025. The coach used that description for Deshaun Watson at his opening news conference. And Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot reports that Monken and Watson are "eager" to work together. The QB last played in Week 7 of 2024, when a torn Achilles' tendon ended his season. Watson spent most of this past season still working back from the injury, gaining clearance for football activity in November.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said after Sunday's loss to the Bengals that QB Deshaun Watson is believed to have a torn Achilles. We should get confirmation on Monday. A torn Achilles would end Watson's season and threaten his availability for the start of the 2025 campaign. Cleveland also lost QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson to a finger injury against Cincinnati, leaving QB Jameis Winston at the controls. Consider Winston the favorite to start next weekend's game vs. the Ravens.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson injured his right leg in the second quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Bengals. It's Dorian Thompson-Robinson -- not Jameis Winston -- active as Cleveland's backup today. We'll update Watson's status when we know more.

Update: Watson has been ruled out with an Achilles. This has the look of a season-ending injury, but we'll update Watson's status when we know more.

The Browns and QB Jameis Winston have agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $8.7 million, according to insider Jordan Schultz. Winston had interest from "multiple teams," per Schultz, but was presumably not offered a starting job. He'll slide in behind QB Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. Watson is coming off a disappointing 2023 season that ended with a right shoulder injury that required surgery. Considering what the Browns are paying him, though, Watson will need to be even worse this year for Winston to see the field. Winston is only worth stashing in deeper superflex dynasty leagues. This signing means that QB Joe Flacco won't be back in Cleveland.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is expected to resume throwing in March, according to insider Mary Kay Cabot. His rehab from November surgery on his right shoulder has gone smoothly by all accounts. Watson got back in the weight room this week, per Cabot, and should at least be a limited participant in April's OTAs. Watson was mostly disappointing prior to that shoulder injury last year, finishing the 2023 campaign with a 61% completion rate and 6.5 yards per attempt. It's been three years now since Watson's big 2020 season -- and it's becoming increasingly unlikely that he returns to that level of play. But he did still average 23.7 rushing yards per game last year, which gives Watson a chance to be a fantasy asset in 2024 even if his real-life performance is lacking. He scored as a top-10 fantasy QB in three of his five full games last year. We'll keep tabs on that right shoulder.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said at Sunday's season-ending press conference that the team still has a "ton of confidence" in QB Deshaun Watson. Injuries limited Watson to just six games this season -- the last of which was a broken glenoid in his throwing shoulder that required surgery in November. “He’s doing great in rehab," Stefanski said. "I’m confident he’ll be ready to roll this spring. He’s chomping at the bit, but he’s doing everything he’s supposed to do when it comes to what the doctors are telling him and as he rehabs through this, but he’ll be ready to roll.” Watson's recovery from that surgery is one question heading into 2024. But the bigger one is his ability at this point. Watson put more bad than good on tape this past year, finishing with a 61.4% completion rate and 6.5 yards per attempt. QB Joe Flacco was much more productive in the same offense down the stretch. Watson can't be considered more than a QB2 in early fantasy drafts. We'll track his rehab.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson suffered a right-shoulder injury in Sunday's win over the Ravens that will end his season. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that it's a "displaced fracture in his right glenoid." Watson will have surgery, and he's expected to fully recover. That should mean he's ready in plenty of time for the start of 2024. For the rest of 2023, however, this means Browns pass catchers will see decreased efficiency. Watson hasn't been having a terrific season, but he leads P.J. Walker by wide margins in completion rate, TD rate, passer rating, QBR and Pro Football Reference's adjusted net yards per pass attempt. Walker's three games as primary QB so far this year have each included at least 8 targets for lead WR Amari Cooper. The wideout delivered quality receiving lines -- 4-108 and 6-89 -- in two of them but struggled against the Colts in between and has yet to catch a TD from Walker. Cooper caught just 44.4% of his targets over those three contests, compared with 64.4% across the other six. And that number rises further if you remove the Week 4 start for rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (6 targets, 1 catch). The remaining five games have found Cooper catching 71.8% of his targets. Losing Watson hurts Cooper. TE David Njoku, on the other hand, might be least impacted. He averaged 4.0 receptions and 51.7 yards across those three Walker games vs. 4.3 receptions and 37.0 yards per game in the other six. We have updated our Week 11 rankings and are updating the rest-of-season rankings as well.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson appeared to injure his left ankle in the second quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Ravens. He was noticeably hobbled the rest of the way but was able to finish out the game. In fact, Watson went 14-of-14 for 134 yards and a score in the second half of the comeback win. Watson's foot was in a boot afterward, per insider Mary Kay Cabot, but he said he'll be fine for the Week 11 game vs. Pittsburgh. We'll keep a close eye on his status throughout the coming week.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson completed 19 of 30 passes for 219 yards with 2 TD in Week 9’s win vs. the Cardinals. He also added 22 rushing yards on the ground in the contest. Watson was reasonably efficient in his return from a right shoulder injury, though he’ll have a much tougher test in Week 10. The Ravens’ defense ranks as the fourth-toughest QB matchups per our adjusted fantasy points allowed. He’s best viewed as a passable QB2 in superflex leagues only.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says there's "optimism" from the Browns that QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is back to pre-injury form. He reportedly looked much better in practice this week than he did leading up to Week 7. Watson, of course, lasted just 12 snaps in that game before giving way to QB P.J. Walker. We'd prefer to see a full and quality game from Watson before trusting him in fantasy lineups.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) will start Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals, HC Kevin Stefanski said Friday. Watson was listed as a full participant in Friday's practice and took the first-team reps in the portion of practice open to the media, according to insider Mary Kay Cabot. This will be Watson's second time returning from this shoulder injury in the past three weeks. The first go-around, he lasted just 12 snaps before giving way to QB P.J. Walker. There's theoretical upside here in a plus matchup against Arizona, but Watson would be a high-risk Week 9 fantasy play.

Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said Monday that they'll take it "day-to-day" with QB Deshaun Watson's shoulder issue. Considering Watson missed two games with this injury the first time around, there's certainly a chance that he's unable to play vs. the Seahawks this weekend. We'll keep you updated on his status throughout the week.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is active for today’s game vs. the Colts. He was a full participant in Friday’s practice, taking the first-team reps and reportedly throwing with good zip. There’s still elevated risk here as Watson returns from a throwing shoulder injury. But his return is good news for Cleveland’s offense.