The Browns’ Thursday injury report brought a few familiar names, but the one that stands out most is Harold Fannin Jr.
Cleveland’s tight end was added as a limited participant because of a groin injury, a troubling development for a player who has been one of the team’s best performers lately. Fannin was not on Wednesday’s report, which suggests he may not have been able to finish Thursday’s practice.
That alone would be worth monitoring. The bigger issue is the history here: a groin injury is what ended Fannin’s rookie season in 2025 and kept him out of nearly all of the voluntary portion of the Browns’ offseason program this spring.
The timing isn’t ideal for a Browns offense that is already thin at tight end. Cleveland has just one other tight end on the active roster in veteran Blake Whiteheart after rookie Carsen Ryan was waived Thursday for the second time this season.
Head coach Todd Monken is set to address the media after Friday’s practice, and Fannin’s status figures to be one of the main topics.
At quarterback, Deshaun Watson logged his second straight DNP as he continues through the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol. Watson entered the protocol Tuesday after reporting symptoms to the team Monday night. In his place, Shedeur Sanders has led practice for two straight days, and offensive coordinator Travis Switzer made it sound like he expects the rookie to be ready for Sunday in New Orleans.
“I’m just excited to see him go play and hopefully let it rip,” Switzer said, “which I think he’ll do.”
Cleveland also added rookie defensive back Emmanuel McNeil-Warren to the report with a hip injury. The second-round pick has appeared in all eight games this season and has made three starts, so his availability matters on defense.
The Browns have depth at safety, but McNeil-Warren’s role goes beyond that - he’s been a steady special teams contributor too. With the Saints bringing a strong passing game behind quarterback Tyler Shough and wide receiver Chris Olave, he could still be part of the plan if he’s able to go.
Up front, veteran defensive tackle Maliek Collins missed his second straight practice Thursday with an elbow injury suffered in last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Collins was not on Cleveland’s Week 8 injury report, so this is a fresh issue for the 31-year-old. Monken said Wednesday he was optimistic Collins would be available, along with linebacker Quincy Williams and right guard Austin Barber.
Williams and Barber both returned Thursday in limited fashion, which is at least a positive sign. Collins’ workload on Friday may tell the real story.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston and linebacker Carson Schwesinger were also limited for the second day in a row, with Boston dealing with a calf injury and Schwesinger with an ankle issue. Barring a setback, both appear on track for Sunday.
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The situation has also stirred the usual trade chatter around Clevelands crowded quarterback group, but the Browns are not currently looking to move any of their young passers. Sanders, who was once considered by the Ravens, now has a chance to show he belongs in the conversation for more than just depth, and the next stretch of games should tell the team plenty about how it wants to handle that decision. [Read more 🡒]