CLEVELAND BROWNS NEWS

Lead role could await in Week 18 Foreman is likely to serve as the Browns' lead back in Saturday's game against the Ravens with Cleveland ruling out Jerome Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong (concussion) for the conte...

Impact The Browns also have John Kelly on the 53-man roster and could look to elevate one of Aidan Robbins or Jacob Kibodi from the practice squad in Week 18, but Foreman is Cleveland's most experienced running back by far and thus projects to see most of the work, at least on early downs. After Ford left early in this past Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins due to the ankle injury, Foreman finished as the Browns' rushing leader with 49 yards on 13 carries. He was also targeted twice across his 37 snaps but failed to record a reception.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Primed for another start Akins is expected to serve as the Browns' starting tight end Saturday in Baltimore with David Njoku (knee) ruled out for the season finale, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Jou...

Impact While Njoku was sidelined for last Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins, Akins saw an expanded profile on offense. He played 44 of the Browns' 79 snaps on offense in the loss, finishing with six catches for 49 yards on eight targets. Given that quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) dropped back a whopping 48 times in Week 17, Akins' eight targets could be more difficult to replicate in Week 18 if the heavily-favored Ravens are able to dominate the time of possession and keep the clock moving. Akins will also be working with a new starting quarterback in the finale, as Bailey Zappe is getting the nod over Thompson-Robinson.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Won't start Saturday Bailey Zappe is slated to start Saturday's season finale against the Ravens rather than Thompson-Robinson (calf), Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact That said, Cabot notes that Thompson-Robinson, who went 0-2 while starting the Browns' previous two games, is also expected to get some playing time versus Baltimore, based on head coach Kevin Stefanski's previous comments this week. Thompson-Robinson had been managing a calf issue, but he wasn't among the Cleveland players given a Week 18 game designation, per Cabot.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Bailey Zappe to start Browns' season finale. He's 4th QB this season and team's 40th since 1999

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3 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

In line to start Saturday Zappe will start Saturday's season finale against the Ravens, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact While Zappe is slated to get the start at QB for the Browns in Week 18, head coach Kevin Stefanski previously noted that he expected Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) to also see some work versus Baltimore. With that in mind, Zappe isn't a high-percentage fantasy option this weekend, however he does represent a potential lineup pivot for fantasy managers dealing with scenarios where their signal callers may be rested or limited.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Out for season finale Hicks (concussion) is out for Saturday's game at Baltimore, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Hicks will have to sit out in Week 18 due to a concussion he suffered Sunday versus the Dolphins. His 2024 year is over after 78 tackles (40 solo) including 2.0 sacks along with four pass breakups.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Not playing at Baltimore Ward (shoulder) is out for Saturday's game against the Ravens, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Ward suffered a shoulder injury in Week 17 versus the Dolphins, and now he'll miss his first game of the season in Week 18 because of it. He ends his 2024 campaign with 49 tackles (41 solo) and 19 pass breakups including two interceptions.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Won't play at Baltimore Strong (concussion) is out for Saturday's game against the Ravens, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Strong will sit out just his third game of the season in Week 18 due to a concussion he suffered Sunday versus the Dolphins. He will finish the 2024 season with 26 carries for 108 yards and 14 receptions for 104 yards.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Saturday Njoku (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Ravens, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact With Njoku ruled out for the Browns' season finale, Jordan Akins is in line to lead the team's tight end corps in Week 18. Njoku -- who remains under contract with Cleveland in 2025 -- thus finishes the 2024 regular season with a 64/505/5 receiving line on 97 targets in 11 games.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Week 18 Winston (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game at Baltimore, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Winston doesn't appear to be in consideration for the Week 18 start, as coach Kevin Stefanski told Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com on Thursday that he intends to play Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) and Bailey Zappe under center. As a result, even if Winston is available Saturday, he likely will be the emergency third quarterback but among the Browns' inactive players.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Saturday Ford (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Ravens, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact With Pierre Strong (concussion) also ruled out for the contest, D'Onta Foreman figures to be next in line for Cleveland's carries in Week 18, with John Kelly available to mix in. The Browns have RBs Aidan Robbins and Jacob Kibodi on their practice squad, with one or both likely to be elevated for the team's season finale.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Another missed practice Ford (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact Ford has yet to practice this week, so the running back is looking pretty iffy for Saturday's season finale against the Ravens. If Ford ends up sidelined this weekend, D'Onta Foreman would likely be next in line for carries in Week 18, with Pierre Strong (concussion) -- if he's available -- and John Kelly also candidates to mix in. Additionally, the Browns have RBs Aidan Robbins and Jacob Kibodi on their practice squad.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Still not practicing Njoku (knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact After being estimated as a non-participant in Tuesday's walk-through, Njoku's absence from practice both Wednesday and Thursday clouds his status for Saturday's season finale against the Ravens. If the tight end is sidelined this weekend, Jordan Akins would be in line to see an expanded role in Week 18.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

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Logs two LPs to begin Week 18 prep Winston (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact Winston was also deemed a limited participant Tuesday, though that was an estimation since the team didn't practice that day. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has already stated that Winston is expected to be inactive as the emergency third quarterback for Cleveland on Saturday versus Baltimore, per Petrak. It's currently unclear whether Dorian Thompson-Robinson or Bailey Zappe will start behind center for the team's season finale.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Listed as limited Thompson-Robinson (calf) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Impact Thompson-Robinson played through the same calf injury during Sunday's 20-3 loss to Miami, completing 24 of 47 passes for 170 yards and an interception while running four times for 10 yards (and losing a fumble). Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he's unsure about his Week 18 starter and may use both Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe under center.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Still not practicing Wednesday Garrett (thigh) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Garrett was a surprise addition to the Browns' injury report Tuesday with a thigh issue, and he still wasn't healthy enough for football activities Wednesday. He'll have one more opportunity to practice Thursday before Saturday's game at Baltimore.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Wednesday Hicks (concussion) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Hicks suffered a concussion during Sunday's game versus the Dolphins, and now his status for Saturday's game at Baltimore is in doubt. He'll probably need to manage a practice Thursday or Friday to have a shot to play in Week 18.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing Wednesday Strong (concussion) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Strong suffered a concussion during Sunday's game versus the Dolphins, and now his availability for Week 18 is in jeopardy. He'll likely have to practice Thursday or Friday to be able to suit up Saturday at Baltimore.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice Wednesday Njoku (knee) isn't practicing Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Njoku was estimated as a non-participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice, so following Wednesday's absence, what the tight end is able to do Thursday figures to be pivotal with regard to his availability for Saturday's game against the Ravens. If Njoku remains sidelined this weekend, Jordan Akins would once again be in line to see added TE reps for the Browns in Week 18.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing Wednesday Ford (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Impact Ford was deemed a non-participant on Tuesday's practice estimate, so his absence from Wednesday's session sets the stage for what he's able to do Thursday to loom large with regard to his chances of playing Saturday against the Ravens. If Ford is limited or out this weekend, D'Onta Foreman would likely be next in line for carries, with Pierre Strong (concussion) -- if available -- and John Kelly also in the mix.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Could play Week 18 Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday that both Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) could play Week 18 against Baltimore, Patrick Warren of the Browns' official s...

Impact Zappe was signed to the Browns' active roster Oct. 22 but has not yet made it on the field. He served as the backup quarterback the last two weeks with Jameis Winston (shoulder) being the emergency third QB. Stefanski said he'll provide an update on the quarterback situation towards the end of the week ahead of Saturday's regular-season finale.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

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