Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 22nd @ 1:00 PM ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Betting Odds: CLV -1.5, 39 total via PFF.com
Network: CBS
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson (Start if active, QB2), PJ Walker (Sit)
Deshaun Watson hasn’t played since Week 4, as he is dealing with a nagging shoulder injury. Per Adam Schefter, Watson could be back as soon as this week, but the Browns will not want him to play until he can throw without pain. We’ve already seen them start rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who did not succeed, and last week PJ Walker, who was also a non-factor. If Watson cannot suit up again, Walker would likely get the nod, but won’t be a recommended streaming option. If Watson does play, you would assume he is healthy, and could be considered a QB2 as a quarterback coming off an injury against a Colts defense allowing the ninth most fantasy points to QBs this season.
At the time of writing, Watson was a DNP on Wednesday.
Browns’ QB Deshaun Watson is not practicing today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 18, 2023
Running Backs
Jerome Ford (Start, RB2), Kareem Hunt (Start if you must, FLEX)
Jerome Ford turned 17 carries into 84 scoreless yards in the upset victory against the 49ers last week, catching his two targets for 7 yards. Ford will be a beneficiary of having Watson back this week if he returns, especially against a Colts defense that just allowed Travis Etienne Jr. to turn 18 carries into 55 yards and two touchdowns, as well as three receptions for 28 yards.
Kareem Hunt found the end zone for the first time this season against San Fran, gaining 47 yards on the ground off 12 carries, and adding three receptions for 24 yards. With the likes of Tony Pollard, Dameon Pierce, Breece Hall, Derrick Henry, and Joe Mixon all on BYE, Hunt could offer FLEX appeal if you are in a bind.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Amari Cooper (Start, WR3), David Njoku (Sit)
Despite no Watson under center, Amari Cooper was able to top 100 yards last week (108 to be exact) with Walker throwing him the ball. This was a much-needed week for Cleveland’s top wideout, considering the week prior with DTR, he caught one pass for 16 yards. Cooper needs Watson back, and hopefully, this will be the week he gets him.
Watson or not, the likes of Elijah Moore and Donovan-Peoples Jones have not been fantasy-relevant options at all this season.
The Colts’ defense isn’t very strong against tight ends, allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to the position this season, but David Njoku has been a fringe option through six games. He has 19 receptions on 22 targets for 162 scoreless yards.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Gardner Minshew (Sit)
Enter Gardner Minshew as the new QB1 in Indy, as news broke Wednesday that rookie Anthony Richardson is having season-ending shoulder surgery. Minshew is coming off a disappointing showing in the loss to Jacksonville last week. He threw a whopping 55 times, completing 33 of those attempts for 329 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and a lost fumble. Those stats are not encouraging in the slightest, and he won’t be a recommended streaming option against the Browns’ stellar defense.
Running Backs
Zack Moss (Start, FLEX), Jonathan Taylor (Start, RB2)
With Jonathan Taylor still being eased back into the mix, Zack Moss was still a factor in the loss to the Jaguars. He had just seven carries for 21 yards, but did find the end zone off one of those touches. He also had six receptions on seven targets for 38 yards. Taylor had eight carries of his own for 19 yards, and five receptions for 46 yards. He’ll continue to take over the backfield as the weeks move forward, but given the BYE week blues, Moss could offer one final week of fantasy appeal.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Michael Pittman Jr. (Start, WR2), Josh Downs (Start, FLEX)
Michael Pittman Jr. saw his highest target share last week with 14, catching nine targets for 109 scoreless yards. He is the clear, preferred receiver for Minshew, and will remain on the fantasy WR2 map, even against a Browns defense allowing the least amount of fantasy points on average per game to WRs this year; 9.8 per CBS Sports.
Rookie Josh Downs has been a factor the last two weeks, totaling 11 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown, and could (continue) to be relied upon more this week. The matchup isn’t very inviting, but you could do worse in a heavy BYE week around the league.
The TE room in Indy is not very inviting for fantasy. Last week per FantasyData, Kylen Granson led the way with three receptions off four targets for 67 yards, compared to Drew Ogletree’s one target. Granson is currently in the concussion protocol, which won’t bode well for his availability this week. Ogletree and Mo Alie-Cox can be left on the wire.