CLEVELAND BROWNS NEWS

Practice reps limited Thursday Njoku (knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact After sitting out last Sunday's 27-14 win over the Texans with the knee issue, Njoku has opened Week 14 prep with a pair of limited sessions. The Browns won't decide on whether Njoku carries a designation into this weekend's game against the Bengals until after Friday's practice, but the tight end is expected to return to the lineup Sunday, per Brad Stainbrook of 247Sports.com. If Njoku puts an end to his one-game absence this weekend, he'll be playing in his first game with new starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, who returned from his 11-game suspension last week and made his season debut against Houston.

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with illness Brown did not participate during the Browns' practice Thursday due to an illness, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact Brown appears to have come down with an illness since practicing in full Wednesday, as he appeared on Cleveland's Week 14 injury report for the first time Thursday. While the nature of this ailment is still unknown, the 28-year-old will still have one more practice to improve his activity before the team must assign him a game status on Friday's final injury report. Brown played a season-high 40 offensive snaps with top tight end David Njoku (knee) sidelined against the Texans in Week 13, and it's likely he could see similarly increased usage if Njoku remains out Sunday against Cincinnati.

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Logs limited practice Cooper was limited at practice Thursday due to a hip injury, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Cooper was rested during Wednesday's session, but now the wideout appears to be dealing with a legitimate injury. Cleveland will release its final Week 14 injury report Friday, when it will be known whether the Browns' top wideout approaches Sunday's contest against the Bengals with or without an injury designation.

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Burrow, surging Bengals look to stop skid against Browns

The Cincinnati Bengals will look to get even on Sunday when the Cleveland Browns visit

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bengals eye fifth straight win, but Browns remain thorn in Cincinnati's side

A win Sunday would all but guarantee the Bengals the AFC North title, but the Browns have owned the season series of late.

DECEMBER 8, 2022

2023 NFL mock draft: Bryce Young goes first, but strong DL class stands out

As the 2022 NFL season winds down, we look ahead to the 2023 draft. Rob Rang presents his first mock, featuring elite defensive linemen with...

DECEMBER 8, 2022

Remains starter Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson will start Week 14 against the Bengals, despite showing some rust in his season debut during last week's win over the Texans, Mary...

Impact While taking the field last week for his first regular-season action since Week 17 of the 2020 campaign, Watson completed 12 of 22 passes for 131 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. At 5-7, the Browns hope to keep their slim playoff chances alive, but Stefanski has no plans to turn the offense back over to Jacoby Brissett, who closed his tenure as Cleveland's starting quarterback on a high note before Watson was reinstated from his suspension last week. Cabot notes that Watson looked sharper during Wednesday's practice, but those sessions are much different than game conditions.

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Claimed off waivers by Cleveland Cleveland claimed Darden off waivers from Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Impact Darden was waived by Tampa Bay following Monday's win over the Saints, but he quickly finds a new home in Cleveland. The second-year wideout appeared in the Buccaneers' first 12 games this year and caught both of his targets for 26 yards across just 53 offensive snaps, though he did make some solid contributions as return man.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to IR Cleveland placed Schwartz (concussion) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Impact Schwartz suffered a concussion during the Week 13 win over Houston and will now miss at least four games after landing on IR. In a corresponding move, Cleveland claimed Jaelon Darden off waivers from Tampa Bay.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

McVay: Baker Mayfield likely to be active for Rams vs Vegas

Coach Sean McVay says Baker Mayfield probably will be active for the Los Angeles Rams’ game against the Raiders on Thursday night

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Browns DBs eager to catch up with Bengals chatty WR Chase

Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase missed Cincinnati's game against Cleveland on Halloween

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Limited by thumb injury Wednesday Bell was a limited participant at practice Wednesday due to a thumb injury, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact Bell was forced out of Cleveland's Week 13 win in Houston due to the injury, but as long as he's able to upgrade to full participation by Friday, he should be in good shape to play Sunday at Cincinnati. The rookie out of Purdue has held a bit role in the Cleveland passing attack this season, collecting 20 receptions for 169 yards and no touchdowns.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Looks good in limited practice Njoku (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact Njoku missed three of the past six games with two separate knee injuries but reportedly is expected to return from a one-week absence for Sunday's matchup with Cincinnati. Petrak notes that the tight end looked good at Wednesday's practice, though the Browns kept him limited rather than unleashing Njoku as a full participant. That could be coming Thursday or Friday.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined Wednesday Ward didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness and an ankle injury, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.

Impact Ward returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown and made six tackles across 53 defensive snaps in Week 13, but he's sidelined to start Week 14 prep due to a pair of issues. It's unclear how severe the illness and ankle injury are, but the starting cornerback will have two more opportunities to practice before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Sunday's divisional matchup against Cincinnati.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing Wednesday Schwartz (concussion) won't practice Wednesday, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.

Impact Schwartz suffered a concussion during the Week 13 win over Houston and remains sidelined to start Week 14 prep. The second-year wideout will have two more opportunities to return to practice before the team needs to make a decision on his status for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

FOX Bet Super 6: Win Terry's $100K prize in Week 14 NFL Sunday Challenge

Terry Bradshaw is giving away $100K in the FOX Bet Super 6 NFL Sunday Challenge for Week 14. Find out how the big cash prize can be yours!

DECEMBER 7, 2022

Browns sign linebacker Ragland to fill gaping hole

The Cleveland Browns found a linebacker to plug the gaping hole in the middle of their defense

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Signed to active roster Ragland was signed to the Browns' active roster from their practice squad Wednesday.

Impact Ragland will replace Sione Takitaki (knee) on the active roster after Takitaki was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Ragland has yet to appear in a game this season, but he produced 67 tackles and two pass deflections while recovering a fumble over 17 games with the Giants in 2021. The 29-year-old will operate as the Browns' second option at middle linebacker behind Deion Jones moving forward.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Goes on IR Takitaki (knee) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Impact Takitaki suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Sunday's win over the Texans, so his move to IR was a formality. The fourth-year pro was enjoying the most successful season of his career as a regular part of the team's linebacker rotation. His 71 tackles (36 solo) are a single-season high. In his absence, Tony Fields will likely take on a more significant role.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Sunday Njoku (knee) is expected to practice this week and play Sunday against the Bengals, Brad Stainbrook of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Njoku was sidelined for Week 13 due to a knee injury, marking his third absence over the past six weeks. However, the tight end is presumably feeling better and trending in the right direction to start Week 14. Nonetheless, fantasy managers should monitor Njoku's participation throughout prep to ensure he's still on track to suit up later in the week. When available, the 2017 first-round pick has been a consistent producer, totaling 41 receptions for 464 yards and two scores across nine appearances.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

NFL Power Rankings, Week 14: Cowboys, Bengals rise into contender tier

This week saw some of the NFL's best teams face each other. What did we learn? The top of the power rankings have shifted, with the Cowboys...

DECEMBER 6, 2022

Pick six Sunday Fields recorded four tackles (three solo), a forced fumble and an interception returned for a touchdown in Sunday's 27-14 win over the Texans.

Impact Fields logged one of the Browns' two defensive touchdowns against Houston, picking off Kyle Allen for a 16-yard return in the fourth quarter. The second-year linebacker also forced a fumble that led to a four-yard scoop-and-score touchdown by cornerback Denzel early in the third quarter. Fields' 30 defensive snaps marked the most significant playing time of his career, and he'll likely be on tap for increased usage moving forward after starting linebacker Sione Takitaki suffered a torn ACL on Sunday.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up scoop-and-score touchdown Ward recorded six tackles (three solo), one pass defended and a defensive touchdown off of a fumble recovery during Sunday's 27-14 win against the Texans.

Impact Ward tallied just his third takeaway of the season, recovering a fumble from quarterback Kyle Allen for a four-yard touchdown return in the third quarter. The cornerback was in and out of practice with separate hamstring and ankle injuries during Week 13 prep, but he still played 86 percent of the Browns' defensive snaps against Houston. Ward now sits second on the team in passes defended despite sitting out three games with a concussion in the middle of the season, and he should play a crucial role in combatting the Bengals' prolific passing attack Week 14.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jared Goff, Joe Burrow shine; Tua, Deshaun Watson wane: NFL notes and analysis

The Lions and Bengals have hit their stride while the Dolphins and Browns looked rusty this week. And it's all about the quarterbacks.

DECEMBER 6, 2022

Likely to take over starting role Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said that Jones is a likely candidate to take over as the team's starting middle linebacker after Sione Takitaki suffered a season-ending torn ACL on S...

Impact Jones has largely played a rotational role since being traded from Atlanta to Cleveland in October, totaling 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks over six games. However, the 2017 Pro Bowler recorded over 100 tackles in five of six seasons as the Falcons' starting inside linebacker, so it's possible he could flourish if he does move up into a similar role with Cleveland. Jones will have to compete for this job with Jordan Kunaszyk, who Stefanski also mentioned as a possible candidate to step up into a bigger role moving forward.

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE