Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (personal) reportedly missed practice on Thursday due to a personal matter. Patrick Warren of clevelandbrowns.com reports that Ford is expected back at practice on Friday as he only needed to tend to the matter on Thursday. The 24-year-old projects to be the starter with Nick Chubb (knee) still on the PUP list and recovering from his gruesome injury last season. The good news for fantasy managers is this is just a temporary absence and Ford should be back on the field taking first-team snaps.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the media Thursday on their first day of training camp, breaking the news that he was unsure whether or not starting quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) would appear in any of the team's three preseason games. Watson, who had shoulder surgery during the offseason to tend to the scapular and rotator cuff injuries he suffered during the 2023 season, seems to be on his way to health but isn't there just yet. Stefanski confirmed he would discuss the details with Watson and his staff before determining when he would get game action at an appropriate time. "We'll be smart," Stefanski said. "We're very fortunate to have a great medical team around Deshaun... He looks great, feels great, so we'll just be smart about it." Watson is going off draft boards as QB22 and is a solid second quarterback option in superflex leagues heading into fantasy drafts.

The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns have options with their roster management and don't need to rush running back Nick Chubb (knee) back for the start of the 2024 season. But if Chubb returns to practice at any point during training camp, he'll be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list and would have to be on the 53-man active roster to start the regular season. Chubb has been a superstar for the Browns who has consistently produced -- his career average of 5.3 yards per carry ranks seventh-best by any player since 1946 -- but he's recovering from a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in his left knee, the same one in which he previously tore his ACL in college. The fact that the 28-year-old doesn't have a timetable and remains a candidate to open the year on the PUP list (and miss at least the first four games), makes him a risky RB3/flex in fantasy in 2024.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper recently restructured his deal with the organization. The superstar wideout will now earn $20 million during the upcoming season. That is a $5 million raise for the 30-year-old who is worth the money after what he showed last season. Cooper totaled 72 receptions for a career-high 1,250 yards and five touchdowns with the Browns last season. Cooper hinted that he'd like to remain with the team following the 2024 season. It makes sense that Cooper would like to stay after two straight successful seasons with the organization. They've rewarded him with a pay raise, so the organization clearly views him as a valuable asset. Fantasy managers should consider Cooper as a reliable WR2 heading into next season.

Cleveland Browns running back Nyheim Hines (knee) was placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list on Wednesday. Hines has been working his way back from a torn ACL suffered before 2023's training camp in a jet ski accident. Once passing a physical, Hines should be in line to compete for a role as a returner and pass-catching specialist. Hines has a shot to get real work with the Browns' backfield up in the air. Nick Chubb (knee) began training camp on the PUP list and the team has Jerome Ford and D'Onta Foreman slated for backfield work as Chubb recovers. If Hines can earn a role in the Browns offense, he would be somebody to watch on fantasy waiver wires. For now, monitor Hines and his recovery.