Fantasy Football News

The Browns plan to start rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson this Sunday against the Steelers, according to Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz. That's a mild surprise in the wake of QB Deshaun Watson's season-ending shoulder injury. DTR got the first chance to replace Watson back in Week 4 but played his way into P.J. Walker taking the next three fill-in spots. Apparently Cleveland has seen enough development from Thompson-Robinson -- and probably enough meh-to-poor play from Walker -- to try the rookie again. DTR certainly doesn't boost the outlooks for any pass catchers. He completed just 52.8% of passes at 3.4 yards per attempt with 0 TDs and 3 INTs in his lone extended action to date. But the fifth-round pick at least presents the upside of the unknown. Walker's been out of college since 2017 and garnered nine NFL starts over the past four years. Thompson-Robinson's one start into his pro career after a nice college run that included five years as UCLA's primary QB. He completed 63.3% of his passes at 7.9 yards per attempt there. More important for his own fantasy purposes, Thompson-Robinson ran for 1,826 yards (even with sack yardage subtracted) and 28 TDs across his college career. He's worth a pickup in superflex leagues. And if the rookie can't do enough to keep WR Amari Cooper and TE David Njoku relevant, expect a switch back to Walker.

Update: HC Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Thompson-Robinson will start vs. the Steelers this weekend.

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 (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 QB Deshaun Watson went into detail about his shoulder injury on Wednesday. He confirmed that it's a rotator cuff injury, per The Associated Press' Tom Withers. Watson said he's "trending up" but admitted that he might not get back to 100% this season. He added that he's not sure if it'll be days or weeks before he's ready to play. He's set to undergo medical testing ahead of Wednesday's practice. We'll keep you updated on Watson's status, but fantasy owners shouldn't plan on having him available for Week 7 lineups.

Insider Mary Kay Cabot spoke to an orthopedic surgeon who said the bruised rotator cuff that Browns QB Deshaun Watson is currently dealing with generally takes 2-6 weeks to fully heal. Watson will be three weeks removed from the injury this Sunday. OC Alex Van Pelt said Thursday that Watson's status for this weekend's game is "up in the air." It sounds like there's at least a chance that he's sidelined beyond Week 6.

The Bears released QB P.J. Walker on Sunday. The veteran inked a two-year, $4.15 million with the team this offseason, though his performance in the preseason was spotty. Walker concluded with 11 completions on 23 attempts for 96 passing yards with one TD, one interception, and a 55.7 passer rating. With Walker gone, the Bears' QB2 job looks to be in the hands of rookie Tyson Bagent, a UDFA from D-II Shepherd University. Dynasty managers in superflex leagues now have an idea of who will take over should injury befall starter Justin Fields at any point. Consider Bagent worthy of a speculative add in deep dynasty superflex leagues.

Panthers HC Steve Wilks said Monday he hasn't decided yet who will start at QB for Sunday's game against the Broncos. he added that he'll make the decision ahead of Wednesday's practice. Baker Mayfield stunk (again) in the Week 11 loss to Baltimore. P.J. Walker is coming off a groin injury that kept him out of that game. Sam Darnold has yet to play this year after opening the season on IR. This decision might not really matter for fantasy football purposes outside of determining whether Mayfield will stick around and continue to silence WR D.J. Moore.

An ankle injury for QB P.J. Walker pressed Panthers QB Baker Mayfield back into the starting lineup for Sunday's game in Baltimore. And Mayfield delivered more of what got Carolina's offense started so slowly this season. He threw for just 196 yards, 0 TDs and 2 INTs on 21-of-33 passing. WR Terrace Marshall was the only Panther to tally more than 26 receiving yards. He caught 3 balls or 76 on a team-high 6 targets. D.J. Moore managed just 3 catches for 24 yards on 5 targets. Bet on Mayfield bowing back out of the lineup as soon as someone else is ready.

Panthers interim HC Steve Wilks said Monday that QB P.J. Walker will start this weekend's game vs. the Falcons, even if QBs Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are ready to return from their ankle injuries. Walker was efficient in Sunday's shocking win over the Bucs, completing 16 of 22 passes (73%) for 177 yards (8.1 YPA), 2 TDs and 0 INTs. Most importantly, he got WR D.J. Moore going. The pair connected on 7 of 10 targets for 69 yards and 1 score. Walker remains a bottom-barrel fantasy option, but Moore is back in the WR3 mix for Week 8.

Panthers HC Steve Wilks said Wednesday that QB P.J. Walker will start Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Walker threw for just 60 yards before leading the Week 6 loss with a neck issue. It doesn't sound like the team is concerned about that injury. The Panthers also designated QB Sam Darnold to return from IR Wednesday, though we'll see if he's ready for a spot on the active roster this week. Jacob Eason served as Walker's backup in Week 6.

Panthers QB P.J. Walker was knocked out of Sunday's loss to the Rams with a 4th-quarter neck injury. QB Jacob Eason mopped up, completing 3 of 5 passes for 59 yards and a pick. We'll see if Walker is available for Week 7 -- and if Carolina sticks with him. Walker mustered just 60 yards on 10-of-16 passing today. QBs Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are unlikely to be ready for Week 7 with their ankle injuries.

Panthers QB Baker Mayfield suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the 49ers, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "That means he’ll miss time, but how much will be determined by more tests and opinions," Rapoport adds. With QB Sam Darnold still out with his own ankle injury, Carolina will turn to QB P.J. Walker. The 27-year-old owns a 57% completion rate and 6.2 yards-per-attempt average on 128 NFL passes. So, as bad as Mayfield has been, don't expect Walker to be an upgrade.

Panthers QB Baker Mayfield picked up a left ankle injury in Sunday's loss to the 49ers. We saw him lipping at the end of the 1st half, but he was able to return for the 2nd. Mayfield was in a walking boot after the game and said he was headed for a Monday MRI. We should learn more tomorrow. With QB Sam Darnold still out with his ankle injury, QB P.J. Walker is Carolina's backup.

Panthers QB Sam Darnold (shoulder) will be placed on IR and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, HC Matt Rhule said Wednesday. Darnold's injury is not believed to be season-ending, Rhule added, but he can be dropped in all 1-QB fantasy leagues. QB P.J. Walker is slated to start while Darnold is out, with QB Matt Barkley backing him up.

Tests have revealed a fractured scapula in the right shoulder of Panthers QB Sam Darnold, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Darnold is expected to miss "several weeks" with the injury, which Tom Pelissero reports is an "incomplete" fracture. P.J. Walker figures to step in, and Carolina also added Matt Barkley this week. A struggling Panthers offense isn't looking up.

Panthers QB Sam Darnold is considered "day to day" with a shoulder injury after a Monday MRI, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. HC Matt Rhule wouldn't commit to a Week 10 starting QB when asked Monday. “I’d have to see him on Wednesday and see. What does his health look like?," Rhule said of Darnold. We'll keep an eye on the situation, but neither Darnold nor QB P.J. Walker should be in your Week 10 fantasy plans.

Panthers QB Sam Darnold has cleared the concussion protocol. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that he's still a game-time decision for Sunday against the Patriots, though, because of the shoulder injury. P.J. Walker would start if Darnold can't go. We're hoping you don't need either for your fantasy football lineups.

Update: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Darnold is "expected to start."