Cleveland Browns DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (concussion) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Wednesday. Strong suffered a concussion in the Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and is now in the league's concussion protocol. With two straight DNPs this week and a meaningless Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on a short week on Saturday, it's looking unlikely that the 26-year-old will suit up for the last game of the season. In addition to Strong, Jerome Ford (ankle) has yet to practice this week and could also be out this weekend. If both Ford and Strong are unavailable for the Browns, D'Onta Foreman would most likely see the lion's share of work in the backfield in a bad Browns offense, with John Kelly in line for backup duties for Cleveland.

According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) will not practice again on Wednesday. Njoku was also listed as a non-participant during Tuesday's estimated report. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status during Thursday's practice as he could be in danger of sitting on Saturday. Over his past five contests, Njoku has averaged a strong 15.4 PPR points per game. During this stretch, he has tallied 50.0 yards per game while seeing 10.8 targets per game. If Njoku were to miss his second-straight contest, Jordan Akins would get the starting nod once again. Akins would be viewed as a desperation TE2 and a high-risk play in DFS, as he has only seen more than four targets in one game this season.

According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (ankle) will not practice again on Wednesday. Ford will now miss his second-straight practice and could be in danger of missing Saturday's contest against the Baltimore Ravens. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status during Thursday's session. Ford left last weekend's game early due to an ankle injury. Over his past three contests, Ford has tallied 198 total rushing yards while posting a strong 8.3 YPC. No.2 running back Pierre Strong (concussion) will also not practice on Wednesday. This could leave D'Onta Foreman and John Kelly as the lone running backs during their final game of the season. Foreman would be a viable low-end RB2 if given the start.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Michael Woods II (knee) is on the Week 18 injury report and was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Tuesday. Woods apparently picked up a minor knee injury in the Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in which he played 68 of the team's 79 offensive snaps on his way to just one reception for three yards on four targets. The 24-year-old should be able to suit up in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens this Saturday and will have an elevated role again with Cedric Tillman (concussion) closing out the year on Injured Reserve. Despite what should be an expanded role in a good matchup, it's impossible to recommend Woods in any kind of fantasy format with the Browns expected to play both quarterbacks Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Bailey Zappe in a meaningless game for the team. Woods has only seven catches in five games in 2024.

According to Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram, Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (ankle) was held out of the team's walkthrough on Tuesday. The 25-year-old left Sunday's game early with an ankle injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status closely leading up to Saturday's game. Before exiting early, Ford tallied 22 yards on six attempts. During Weeks 15 and 16, Ford performed very well as the lead back, tallying 88.0 yards per game with a strong 21.3 PPR points per game. During this stretch, he averaged an impressive 9.8 YPC. In addition, No.2 running back Pierre Strong (concussion) was also unable to practice. If both running backs cannot suit up this weekend, D'Onta Foreman will likely lead the backfield against the Baltimore Ravens.