RADIO
Todd Monken Not Naming a Starting QB Yet for Week 10
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is not naming a starting quarterback yet for Sunday's home game against the Houston Texans in Week 10, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "I really haven't thought through it other than getting through this morning's tape. We just got done meeting with the guys; they'll flush the game, and then we'll have a chance to meet offensively more extensively a little bit later today," Monken said. This is a direct contradiction to an earlier report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that suggested that Deshaun Watson (concussion) is expected to start against the Texans as long as he clears the league's concussion protocol. Watson was inactive on Sunday in the overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, and second-year QB Shedeur Sanders had a mostly positive showing, throwing for 297 yards and two touchdowns on 19-for-31 passing in his first start in 2026. Watson threw for over 300 yards in each of his last two starts, but he has not thrown for a touchdown in his last three games and leads the league with 33 sacks taken. We might have a QB controversy brewing in Cleveland, with neither signal-caller registering as much more than a low-end QB2 option in superflex leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Browns Plan to Start Deshaun Watson in Week 10
The Cleveland Browns plan to start quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) in Week 10 against the Houston Texans, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Shedeur Sanders filled in admirably in Sunday's overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, but returning to Watson was the expected move once he cleared the league's concussion protocol. Watson came out of last week's loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers with a concussion and did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. The 31-year-old veteran was able to practice on Friday, but it was too late to be cleared, and he was inactive on Sunday in the loss in the Big Easy. Barring a setback with his head injury this week, Watson is expected to return to the starting role under center for the Browns in their Week 10 matchup against the Texans. Sanders showed the kind of passing upside on Sunday that Watson has yet to display consistently in 2026, and he will have a less-than-ideal matchup in his return this weekend. Watson has gone over 300 passing yards in each of his last two starts against the Steelers and Tennessee Titans, but he has not thrown a touchdown since Oct. 11 and will be a low-end QB2, at best, in superflex formats in Week 10 if he officially clears concussion protocol and is active against Houston, his former team.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Shedeur Sanders Shines With a QB5 Finish in Week 9, Boosts Dynasty Stock
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He added 28 yards on 10 carries. He earned 23.68 fantasy points and finished QB5 of the week. Sanders had a nice fantasy outing, throwing a touchdown pass to Harold Fannin Jr. in overtime and giving the Browns a shot at a two-point conversion to win. Sanders will likely give way to Deshaun Watson (concussion) as the starter once he returns, as the Browns (5-4) are in the thick of the playoff race and Watson hasn't necessarily proven he deserves the starting job. However, Sanders put on an impressive tape that should only help his stock in dynasty formats. Sanders will keep waiver-wire appeal as long as he's starting for the Browns and Watson is out.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dylan Sampson's Receiving Role Makes Him Worth Adding
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson rushed eight times for 21 yards in Sunday's 23-22 overtime loss to New Orleans. He also caught three of six targets for 27 yards, continuing to see steady involvement in the passing game. Since returning from injured reserve in Week 7, Sampson has caught 12 passes for 121 yards across three games. He received a season-high eight carries Sunday, although Quinshon Judkins remains Cleveland's primary rushing option. Sampson's six targets tied for second on the team, giving him some value in PPR formats even without a large rushing workload. Sampson is worth considering in 12-team PPR leagues ahead of Cleveland's Week 10 matchup against Houston.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shedeur Sanders Solid in Overtime Loss
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-22 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He added 28 yards on 10 carries. Sanders was decent in relief of teammate Deshaun Watson (concussion) in Week 9. The second-year pro made some nice decisions and reads, but also fired a few misthrows as well. He notably underthrew both rookie wide receivers K.C. Concepcion Jr. (ankle) and Denzel Boston on wide-open deep attempts. However, both plays had positive outcomes due to outstanding effort by the wideout. All in all, it was a solid outing with no turnovers, while Sanders' rushing attempts were a career high. For now, Watson is expected to regain his starting role once he's cleared from a concussion, though it will be a situation to monitor until head coach Todd Monken gives definitive direction for their next game. Cleveland will face the visiting Houston Texans in Week 10.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
K.C. Concepcion Jr. Plays Through an Ankle Injury on Sunday
Cleveland Browns wide receiver K.C. Concepcion Jr. (ankle) caught four of his six targets for 85 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 9 loss against the New Orleans Saints. Concepcion briefly exited with a non-contact ankle injury, but he returned to the game and ended up playing through the ailment. The Texas A&M product helped Cleveland stay competitive with the Saints on Sunday, but the Browns ultimately lost in overtime on a failed two-point conversion attempt. Concepcion has now caught at least three passes in each of his last four games, and Sunday's touchdown represented his first trip to the end zone since being drafted by the Browns. The 22-year-old should continue to operate as a strong WR3 option going forward, but he'll first need to get medical clearance. Concepcion's status will be worth monitoring as the Browns practice this week in preparation for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
KC Concepcion Jr. Returns in Week 9 After Injury Scare
Cleveland Browns rookie first-round wide receiver K.C. Concepcion Jr. (leg) has returned to his team's Week 9 road matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The 22-year-old rookie was previously helped off the field and into the medical tent in the second half of Sunday's game after suffering an apparent leg injury. Concepcion had two receptions for 11 yards before exiting Sunday's game. Denzel Boston has led the air game for Cleveland in Week 9, although the passing game has generally struggled with Shedeur Sanders under center. The Browns' receivers have a low fantasy ceiling in Week 9.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi via X.com
Source: Daniel Oyefusi via X.com
KC Concepcion Is Being Helped Off the Field and into the Medical Tent
Browns WR KC Concepcion is being helped off the field and into the medical tent. Having trouble putting pressure on one of his legs.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) November 8, 2026
Deshaun Watson Reportedly Inactive After Clearing Concussion Protocol
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Mary Kay Cabot. Watson returned to the Week 8 game against Pittsburgh after a concussion evaluation and reported symptoms to the team's medical staff Tuesday morning. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and was a limited participant Friday, when he went through individual drills. Cleveland listed him as questionable Friday, and he cleared the concussion protocol Saturday. Shedeur Sanders took the first-team reps throughout the week and will make his first start of the season, with Dillon Gabriel backing him up.
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Source: Mary Kay Cabot
Deshaun Watson Expected to be Inactive Sunday, Should Return in Week 10
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson cleared concussion protocol on Saturday, but he is still expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that Watson is expected to return in Week 10. The Browns are presumably making Watson inactive this Sunday because he was in concussion protocol all week long, which means that he didn't get a chance to practice and prepare for the Saints. Projected starter Shedeur Sanders and backup Dillon Gabriel, on the other hand, went through a full week of practice and were able to prepare for the packages that we might see in Sunday's game. Watson will get back to a full level of participation in practice on Wednesday, putting him on track to play in Week 10 against the Houston Texans.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Dylan Sampson's Receiving Role Offers PPR Flex Appeal Against Saints
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson faces a New Orleans Saints defense surrendering 139.4 rushing yards per game, but most of that matchup benefit belongs to early-down runner Quinshon Judkins. Sampson's opportunity comes through the passing game. He caught six of eight targets for 62 yards in Cleveland's Week 8 loss to Pittsburgh, playing 39 offensive snaps (56%) while Judkins carried 11 times and Sampson only once. That workload came as the Browns trailed, so the snap advantage should not be mistaken for a takeover. Since returning from injured reserve in Week 7, Sampson has nine catches for 94 yards and seven carries for 52 yards. The Saints were off in Week 8; in their previous game, Pittsburgh backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle combined for nine catches and 81 receiving yards, highlighting the clearest route to useful production for Sampson. Shedeur Sanders is making his first start of the season, adding uncertainty to Cleveland's passing volume and checkdown opportunities. Sampson is absent from Friday's final injury report, and RotoBaller's updated Week 9 PPR rankings list him RB35. He's a fringe PPR flex, not a dependable starter.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Deshaun Watson Cleared From Concussion Protocol, Remains Questionable
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (head) has been cleared from the NFL's concussion protocol on Saturday but remains questionable for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns already announced on Friday that second-year QB Shedeur Sanders will start against the Saints, but Watson will make the trip and could be active as Sanders' backup. The 31-year-old Watson did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday before getting in a limited practice on Friday, which gives him a chance to suit up this weekend. The three-time Pro Bowler has led Cleveland to a 5-3 record through the first eight weeks in 2026, but he leads the NFL in sacks taken (33) and has not thrown a touchdown pass in the last three games. The Browns have not given Watson a vote of confidence by saying that he will be their starter after Week 9, so if Sanders comes in and shows out in New Orleans, the team could have a QB controversy on their hands. Watson came into Week 9 as the QB17 overall in fantasy scoring with 1,806 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions in his eight starts.
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Andre Szmyt Is Reliable Kicker Option In Week 9
Cleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt is in a good spot to deliver solid results in Week 9 at the New Orleans Saints. The Browns are in a good position to score points against a very porous Saints defense and Szmyt has been a reliable option all season long. He is 16-of-18 on field goal attempts and 11-of-12 on extra-point tries this season. Szmyt has a long field goal of 56 yards this season and is coming off of two made field goals in Week 8's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Against the Steelers, Szmyt made one kick in the 30-yard range and one kick in the 40-yard range. Look for Szmyt to deliver more solid results in an indoor environment at the Saints.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Harold Fannin Jr. Should Continue Hot Stretch In Week 9
Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is starting to emerge in the Browns' passing game and should continue his hot stretch with another good game in Week 9 at New Orleans. With Shedeur Sanders stepping in at quarterback, he should look to Fannin Jr. as his main target against a Saints defense that ranks near the bottom of the league against the pass. Fannin Jr. is coming off a 10-catch, 154-yard performance in the Week 8 loss to the Steelers and had six catches for 91 yards two weeks ago at Tennessee. Fannin Jr. is racking up the targets the last two weeks with Deshaun Watson as his quarterback, with nine against Tennessee and 12 against Pittsburgh. Fannin Jr. has shown that he is a reliable target, and with inexperienced wide receivers in Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion Jr., he could come through as the main option for Sanders. Fannin Jr. is reliable on short-field targets and is an option down the middle of the field on deeper targets. He is averaging 11.7 yards per reception this season and has three receiving touchdowns. He hasn't scored since the first matchup with Pittsburgh in Week 4. Fannin Jr. looks like a very dependable tight end play this week. Start with confidence.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
KC Concepcion Jr. Still A Risky Play Against Saints
Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. is starting to emerge a bit in the passing game, but is still a risky play in Week 9 at the New Orleans Saints. Concepcion Jr. has a good matchup overall against a Saints pass defense that is near the bottom of the NFL, but he lacks the overall consistency and touchdown potential needed to be a safe starting wide receiver. Concepcion Jr. had a breakout game two weeks ago against the Tennessee Titans with eight catches for 129 receiving yards, but he has yet to catch a touchdown pass this season and he averages just 10.7 yards per catch this season. The rookie out of Texas A&M needs to show more consistency and more outings like Week 7 at Tennessee before he can be counted on as a starting fantasy receiver. He also has yet to show any chemistry with backup quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders could look for Concepcion Jr. as a short-field target but that is still an unknown with the two players yet to play with one another. Look elsewhere for a starting option this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
