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Denzel Boston A Good Play In Week 9 At New Orleans
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston looks like a promising fantasy play in Week 9 at the New Orleans Saints. Boston will look to develop some chemistry with Shedeur Sanders, who is starting at quarterback over Deshaun Watson. Boston was targeted 12 times in the Week 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and caught six passes for 37 receiving yards. The yards per catch were much lower than the norm for Boston who had established himself as a big-play wide receiver with Watson throwing him passes. Boston still averages 15.7 yards per catch this season and has 26 catches for 409 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Boston hasn't caught a touchdown pass in his last three outings and will look to find the end zone with Sanders throwing him the ball. He has a nice matchup with the Saints pass defense that is near the bottom of the league. Saints starting cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Martin Emerson Jr. are beatable and Boston will be looking for a big play or two out of the hands of Sanders. Fantasy managers should start Boston with confidence.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Quinshon Judkins Looks Like an RB1 Against Saints
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins is a good start in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints and should end the week as an RB1. Judkins should rebound on the road at New Orleans after a tough Week 8 at the Pittsburgh Steelers. At Pittsburgh, Judkins managed just 25 yards on 11 carries as he was stymied in the run game. He did add two catches for 24 yards in the passing game. It was a difficult game for Judkins and the Browns offense, but he carries a much better matchup in Week 9 despite it being a road game. The Saints rank No. 29 in the NFL against the run, giving up 139.4 rushing yards per game. They have allowed 11 rushing touchdowns this season. With Judkins acting as the lead back for the Browns, he should be able to manage a nice rushing output in Week 9 against a generous rush defense. Backup running back Dylan Sampson is back active for the Browns and was involved in the passing game at Pittsburgh last week, but had just one carry. Judkins should remain as the main ball-carrier and has the potential for a big week against a bottom-half rush NFL rush defense.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Shedeur Sanders To Start, Has Good Matchup Vs. Saints
Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints and has a nice matchup against a porous pass defense. Sanders gets the start with Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol and questionable to be available against the Saints. Sanders draws a matchup against the No. 28 ranked pass defense in the NFL as the Saints allow 372.7 pass yards per game and have given up 22 passing touchdowns this season. Sanders is a dual-threat quarterback and not only has the good passing matchup but he also carries the threat to run and scramble if plays break down. Sanders has yet to start this season and this is a big opportunity for him to show what he can do. He remains a risky spot start in fantasy but with the excellent matchup he carries a bit of promise as a low-end starting fantasy quarterback. As a fantasy manager, if you are bitten by the injury bug at the quarterback position, look to Sanders as a quarterback to plug into the lineup as a decent one-week option.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Harold Fannin Jr. Will Play on Sunday
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said on Friday that tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) will play on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "He'll be fine. Just a little sore," Monken said. The 22-year-old tight end may not be 100% healthy this weekend, but at the very least, he should be considered a low-end TE1 in fantasy football as the Browns look to get back to winning ways with second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders making his first start of the year in place of Deshaun Watson, who is still in the league's concussion protocol. Fannin is coming off two strong fantasy performances against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans, catching 16 of his 21 targets for 245 yards. He has not found the end zone since Week 4 against the Steelers, though, and there could be additional volatility in his fantasy football profile this weekend with the switch at QB from Watson to Sanders. Still, Fannin should be firmly on the TE1 radar in Week 9 as he looks to stay on a roll.
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Deshaun Watson Questionable to Play on Sunday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is being listed as questionable to play on Sunday in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Watson entered the NFL's concussion protocol earlier this week and missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, although he returned to the field for Friday's session. Although the veteran signal-caller has not been technically ruled out this weekend, he will not start, as head coach Todd Monken announced that Shedeur Sanders will make the start under center with Watson still in the concussion protocol. If Watson is cleared by Sunday, he will be in a backup role in the Big Easy. Fantasy managers who have been using Watson in two-QB superflex leagues should be concerned that Watson could lose out on the starting gig if Sanders plays well in Week 9. The 31-year-old Watson leads the league with 33 sacks taken and has not thrown a touchdown pass since Oct. 11 in the loss to the New York Jets. If the Browns still view Watson as their starter after Week 9, his next chance to start will come in a Week 10 matchup at home against the Houston Texans.
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Shedeur Sanders to Start Vs. Saints
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said on Friday that second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders will start under center on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, according to Scott Petrak of The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. Deshaun Watson, who started in the first eight weeks of the season, entered the league's concussion protocol earlier this week and will not be cleared in time to take the field on Sunday, even though he is officially listed as questionable on the Browns' final injury report on Friday. It is unclear if Sanders will have a chance to start more games beyond this weekend for the Browns if he plays well, but it is certainly feasible after Watson has led the NFL in sacks taken (33) through eight weeks. The 24-year-old Sanders had his ups and downs in a starting role, as expected, as a rookie, but he was at least aggressive in pushing the ball downfield in Cleveland's offense. Sanders will not have an easy task on the road in New Orleans against a team coming off their bye, but he will have better downfield targets in rookie receivers KC Concepcion Jr. and Denzel Boston at his disposal. Fantasy managers should treat Sanders as a low-end QB2 option in Week 9 in superflex leagues.
Source: The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Source: The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Deshaun Watson Returns to Practice on Friday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) returned to practice on Friday as he makes his way through the league's concussion protocol, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. It is good progress for Watson, but it may be a little too late this week, as it was reported earlier on Friday that he is not expected to be cleared to play in the Week 9 contest on Sunday on the road against the New Orleans Saints. We should have more clarity on Watson's status when the Browns release their official injury report on Friday, but as of now, fantasy managers who have been using him in two-QB leagues should not be planning on having Watson available this weekend. If he is officially ruled out, second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders will be in line for his first start of 2026 in what will be a tough task on the road against a team coming off their bye. The 31-year-old Watson has led the Browns to a 5-3 record in his eight starts this year and has been a decent QB2 option in superflex leagues despite taking a league-high 33 sacks. He has thrown for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Deshaun Watson Not Expected to Play Sunday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is not expected to play in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. After finishing the Week 8 game, Watson was placed in concussion protocol on Wednesday and has not practiced this week. With Watson not expected to suit up against the Saints, second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders is slated to start. In seven career starts, Sanders has completed 116 of 196 passes for 1,353 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions, along with 20 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown. While this slightly affects the Browns' top playmakers, including KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, and Harold Fannin Jr., who didn't practice on Thursday, Sanders should still be able to use these weapons against a struggling Saints defense. If Watson is out in Week 9, fantasy managers should expect him to return in Week 10 against his former team, the Houston Texans.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Harold Fannin Jr. Limited in Practice on Thursday with Groin Injury
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) was limited in practice on Thursday with a groin injury, per Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram. Fannin Jr. was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, so his limited designation on Thursday could indicate that he suffered the injury in practice. Across eight games in 2026, Fannin Jr. has recorded 35 catches for 411 yards and three touchdowns on 51 targets. The 22-year-old has also played some of his best football lately, hauling in 16 receptions for 245 yards on 21 targets over Cleveland's last two games. If Fannin Jr. is unable to play in the Browns' Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland wideouts KC Concepcion Jr. and Denzel Boston (calf) could both see an increase in targets.
Source: The Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Source: The Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Deshaun Watson Sidelined From Practice on Thursday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is still not practicing on Thursday after reporting delayed concussion symptoms following a Week 8 loss to the Steelers and landing in the NFL's concussion protocol. Watson has been the fantasy QB17 through eight weeks, but if he is unable to play in a Week 9 matchup with the Saints, Cleveland will turn to second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders threw for less than 200 yards per game across his seven starts in 2025, while averaging a single touchdown per start. He did, however, form an obvious connection with tight end Harold Fannin Jr., while his propensity for throwing underneath could also help provide a usable fantasy floor for rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Denzel Boston Limited with Calf Injury on Wednesday
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston (calf) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, according to Scott Petrak of the Chronicle-Telegram. This injury wasn't previously reported, so it could be something that he picked up during the game on Sunday, but it wasn't enough to force him out of the contest. With that being said, it's also possible that he suffered the injury in practice on Wednesday. Either way, managers will definitely want to check back after the Browns practice again. His status on Thursday will provide a strong indication of whether he's trending toward playing in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. If active, Boston would rank as a WR3 with a high ceiling. He generated some Offensive Rookie of the Year buzz at the start of the season, but he has since cooled off significantly with just 10 catches, 79 yards, and zero touchdowns over his last three games. Further complicating his outlook is the Browns' quarterback situation, as Shedeur Sanders is expected to draw the start with Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol.
Source: Scott Petrak
Source: Scott Petrak
Deshaun Watson not practicing Wednesday, remains optimistic for Sunday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is not expected to practice on Wednesday after entering the NFL's concussion protocol this week, according to Scott Petrak of The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. However, head coach Todd Monken is not ruling Watson out, and he is optimistic that he will play on Sunday on the road against the New Orleans Saints, who are coming off their bye. Fantasy managers who have been using the 31-year-old veteran in two-QB superflex leagues should be formulating a backup plan for this week. If Watson cannot get cleared from the protocol by the start of the weekend, second-year signal-caller Shedeur Sanders would be in line for his first start of the 2026 season in a hostile environment against a well-rested Saints defense. We will be keeping a close eye on Watson's practice status this week, but so far, he is on the wrong side of questionable. Through the first eight weeks this year, Watson has been a serviceable QB2 in fantasy, throwing for 1,806 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions to put him as the QB17 in overall fantasy points.
Source: The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Source: The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Shedeur Sanders Expected to Start Against Saints
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to start Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints if Deshaun Watson (concussion) cannot clear the league's protocol, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The expectation around the team is that Watson may have difficulty receiving clearance by Saturday, although Cleveland has not officially named a starter. Watson took a helmet-to-helmet hit during Sunday's 27-6 loss to Pittsburgh and passed his initial evaluations before reporting delayed concussion symptoms Tuesday morning. Sanders briefly replaced him against the Steelers, completing both passes for two yards. The 24-year-old started seven games as a rookie in 2025, throwing for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. His limited NFL production makes him a risky fantasy option outside Superflex leagues, while a potential quarterback change introduces uncertainty for Harold Fannin Jr., Denzel Boston, and KC Concepcion Jr.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
KC Concepcion Jr. Emerging as a Rising Fantasy Option in Cleveland
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. has maintained a steady snap share as the season has progressed, playing 71.4 percent of snaps and running 28 routes per game. Concepcion has really thrived after the catch (YAC), ranking in the 82nd percentile, which has driven much of his production this season. While Concepcion has remained involved in the offense, he is not getting a ton of targets, nor has he been extremely efficient on those targets. However, he has shown signs of what he can do, and his route participation and snap share are what are encouraging, and his 25 percent first-read target share means they are designing plays for him to ensure he remains involved. With Concepcion still a rookie in what isn't considered a high-powered offense, there are still some question marks; however, he's intentionally getting involved and is rising among the wide receiver ranks.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Deshaun Watson Placed in Concussion Protocol Wednesday
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) was placed in concussion protocol on Wednesday, according to Mary Kay Cabot. Watson left Week 8's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers early after hitting his head on the turf in the first quarter. Second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders replaced him for a drive, but Watson returned and finished the game. With Watson in the protocol, it's unclear whether he will be able to suit up for Week 9's contest against the New Orleans Saints, which would put Sanders in line to start. In seven career starts, Sanders has completed 116 of 196 passes for 1,353 yards, seven touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while adding 153 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Fantasy managers should monitor Watson's practice status throughout the week, but it seems likely that Sanders will start in Week 9.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
