Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that tight end David Njoku (ankle) is unlikely to play in the Week 3 contest this Sunday against the New York Giants due to the ankle injury he suffered in the season-opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Njoku was inactive in the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and is now set to miss a second straight game. In his absence last Sunday, Jordan Akins saw a role increase at the tight end position, but it led to only one catch on one target for a 10-yard gain. Akins had better production (three catches for 27 yards) with Njoku active in Week 1. The 28-year-old Njoku should remain stashed in most fantasy formats while he heals. We'll have a better idea early next week as to whether Njoku will have a chance to return for Cleveland's Week 4 contest on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.

The Cleveland Browns have placed wide receiver David Bell (hip) on injured reserve after he was carted off the field following a hit early in the third quarter, with trainers lifting his right leg for support. Before his injury, Bell had three receptions for 27 yards in Sunday's victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, before he suffered a dislocated hip. A third-round pick in 2022, Bell has accumulated 41 catches for 408 yards and three touchdowns across 32 games, including eight receptions for 54 yards in last season's playoff loss to the Texans. Fantasy managers can anticipate increased roles for Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Jerome Ford, and D'Onta Foreman going forward. Additionally, the Browns have signed receiver Jaelon Darden and running back Royce Freeman to their practice squad.

The Cleveland Browns have signed free-agent running back Royce Freeman to their practice squad. Freeman, a seven-year veteran, was released by the Dallas Cowboys in August and now joins the Browns. A third-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos in 2018, he has also played for the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Rams. Last season, Freeman appeared in 14 games with the Rams, accumulating 319 yards and two touchdowns. With Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines sidelined, the Browns have been thin at running back, and as of Tuesday, Pierre Strong Jr. is listed as "week to week" with a hamstring injury. Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman have been handling the majority of the carries. Freeman must establish a significant role before fantasy managers consider adding him to their rosters. He could have an opportunity to contribute as soon as this Sunday against the Giants.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said he will not rule out tight end David Njoku (ankle) for the Week 3 game against the New York Giants "yet." Njoku suffered an ankle sprain in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and was inactive in Sunday's 18-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Njoku is considered week-to-week with his ankle sprain, and depending on what he can do in practices this week, he could have a shot to return after missing just one game. Without the 28-year-old in Jacksonville, backup Jordan Akins caught his only target for a 10-yard gain on a day in which quarterback Deshaun Watson didn't look all that great again with 186 passing yards on 34 attempts. When healthy, Njoku is a low-end TE1 in what has looked like a lackluster Cleveland offense so far. Check back later this week to see if Njoku is able to return to the practice field.

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins made all three of his field goals and added an extra point in an 18-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. Hopkins hit field goals from 53, 38, and 44 yards out in the victory. The veteran kicker has now made all four of his field-goal tries and all three of his extra points through the first two weeks of the season. He will look to remain perfect heading into Week 3's home matchup against the New York Giants.