Browns QB Cody Kessler will start Week 9

Nov 04, 2016

Rookie quarterback Cody Kessler will start for the Browns (0-8) when they face the Dallas Cowboys (6-1) on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Browns coach Hue Jackson announced Friday he chose Kessler over veteran Josh McCown.

Jackson said the Browns need to find out whether Kessler can be their quarterback of the future. They're armed with two first-round picks in next year's draft.

"That's a fair assessment because that's why he's playing because I need to know," Jackson said. "I don't want to just say if he does great that doesn't mean that we're not going to draft a quarterback because I think you've got to always have quarterbacks. You've got to keep taking shots until you have the guy that you feel is going to do what you need done."

Fantasy Impact:

There were three games this season in which Kessler attempted 30 or more passes. In those games, Duke Johnson has averaged 5.0 catches, so he's a safe play in PPR formats. Over the past two years, Gary Barnidge's yardage with and without Kessler are about the same, though he hasn't been the same factor in the red zone this season. Terrelle Pryor has averaged 7.3 catches for 88 yards and 1.0 touchdown in three full games with Kessler, so no problems there. Corey Coleman played mostly with Robert Griffin III early in the season, so he's something of a wild card.

yesterday

Cowboys hope to get WR Brandin Cooks (knee) back for Week 12

Calvin Watkins on X

yesterday · 5:55 PM EST

Mike McCarthy said he's hoping Cowboys will get WR Brandin Cooks (knee) back this week.

Fantasy Impact:

Cooper Rush will get the start at QB again against the Commanders in Week 12. CeeDee Lamb led the way with 12 targets vs. the Texans, but it was Luke Schoonmaker, who took over after Jake Ferguson left with a concussion, who had 10 targets which was most behind Lamb. The addition of Cooks should help the Cowboys offense in what is a good matchup against the Commanders defense. For the fantasy world, Rush did end up throwing for 354 yards.

Cowboys will start Cooper Rush at QB in Week 12

Calvin Watkins on X

yesterday · 5:48 PM EST

Mike McCarthy said Cooper Rush "will be the starter" this week against Washington and a package of plays will be formed for Trey Lance.

Fantasy Impact:

McCarthy came out and said he regrets not giving Lance a chance to run the offense in the loss to the Texans on Monday Night, but even after that the team is going forward with Rush in Week 12 against the Commanders. One would have to assume Rush gets the start the following week as well, which is a short week and a game on Thanksgiving Day game against the Giants.

49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) 'close' to playing in Week 11

The Athletic

yesterday · 3:18 PM EST

Shanahan said George Kittle was “close” to playing against Seattle and should be able to practice Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact:

It's at least a good sign Kittle is expected to practice Wednesday. The hope is he will be ready to go in Week 12. The 49ers play at the Packers, and it's in the later Sunday window so owners will certainly want to pay attention to what kind of work Kittle can get in this week at practice.