Also, Cleveland’s running back update after Nick Chubb’s season-ending injury.
Here is your Week 16 injury wrap-up as the Cleveland Browns take on the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday.
Biggest Injury Storylines
- At quarterback, even though he was benched this week, a second storyline with QB Jameis Winston was that he was nursing a right shoulder injury. It sounds like he will be the emergency quarterback for the second match-up in a row against the Bengals, with QB Bailey Zappe being the gameday backup.
- The Browns ruled out WR Cedric Tillman on Saturday, as he still has not been cleared from the concussion protocol. TE David Njoku finally practiced on Friday, and is listed as questionable as he looks to return from a hamstring injury.
- We know RB Nick Chubb had his season end with a broken foot last week. I had to check to see, and yes, D’Onta Foreman is still on the roster, so he is likely to be active.
- On defense, CB Martin Emerson has cleared the concussion protocol, so he is likely to play against the Bengals. With that said, the team did add a back injury for him on Saturday, and are listing him as questionable.
- The Bengals will be without DE Sam Hubbard, DT Sheldon Rankins, and TE Tanner Hudson. OT Orlando Brown, OG Alex Cappa, and WR Charlie Jones are listed as questionable.
Betting Odds Impact
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Browns are 9.5 point underdogs against the Bengals. They began the week as 7 point underdogs. The line may have shifted with the change in quarterback for Cleveland, although that decision was not injury-based.
Fantasy Implications
- The Bengals are vulnerable to tight ends, so certainly pay attention to whether David Njoku is active. He could put up big numbers, especially if DTR is looking for a security blanket.
- At running back, Jerome Ford’s stock shoots up as he’ll get starting reps again.