Tonight’s Thursday Night Football game was supposed to be a test where we would see an AFC North favorite going up against a tough defense. Yet, the injury report reads like a horror story for Clevelanders hoping to see a win for “The Land.” For fantasy football purposes, who’s in, and who’s out for tonight’s tilt?
Cleveland Browns Injury Report
I feel like Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski needs to start a chant in the tunnel before the game tonight against the Denver Broncos by yelling, “Who has it worse than us,” and then all the third-string options that are going to see the field yell “nobody!”
Baker Mayfield, QB
Baker Mayfield is out for tonight after aggravating a labrum tear in his left shoulder. Reports are suggesting that Mayfield will need surgery to repair the damage and that the team is hoping to wait until after the season to do so. This will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks, and Case Keenum is stepping in at quarterback in the meantime.
Nick Chubb, RB
Nick Chubb is out for Thursday Night Football. Typically, it wouldn’t be an issue for the Browns to be without their top running back with Kareem Hunt still in the fold, but …
Kareem Hunt, RB
Kareem Hunt is out as well. Hunt has been placed on IR, sidelining him for at least three weeks with what they’re calling a significant calf injury. The next man up in Cleveland’s backfield is D’Ernest Johnson, who figures to get quite a bit of work tonight.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR
Beckham is reportedly “facing an uphill battle” to play tonight. So while it’s not official yet, don’t expect him to play. Even if he does, I’m not touching him in fantasy football this week.
Jarvis Landry, WR
Expected to be activated off IR and play tonight, Landry will be one of the primary targets for journeyman Keenum against a tough Broncos defense. Landry could be a sneaky fantasy play this week as a slot receiver that could see plenty of volume.
Denver Broncos Injury Report
The Denver Broncos don’t have it nearly as rough from an injury perspective, but they had several question marks heading into tonight’s game. Is anyone of fantasy relevance set to miss the game?
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who is battling a foot and quad injury, is expected to start. That’s good news for a Denver offense that will be at nearly full strength. Additionally, Cleveland’s defense is giving up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the QB position.
Noah Fant, TE
Noah Fant got banged up with a foot injury last week. Still, he has been removed from the injury report and will play tonight.
Melvin Gordon, RB
Melvin Gordon has been battling a hip injury and was limited in Monday’s practice. However, he has been removed from the injury report after logging two straight full practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. He’s good to go for his normal timeshare with rookie Javonte Williams tonight.