Team news: Cleveland Browns | Page 6

With Browns’ QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson now in concussion protocol, Joe Flacco has been taking snaps as Cleveland’s QB1 in practice and could start Sunday vs. the Rams.

Related Players: P.J. Walker

What a world. We last saw Flacco in New York when he started four games for the Jets last season. He threw five touchdowns (four coming in one game), three interceptions and completed 57.6% of his pass attempts for 5.5 yards per attempt.
There should be a better option on your waiver wire, but he's not taking off with the ball, which adds a little bit of a fantasy floor for David Njoku and Amari Cooper.

Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham were the only QBs to throw passes during a drill with WRs and TEs during the media-access portion of Patriots practice.

Mac Jones stood behind them.

The carousel continues in New England. No reason to consider any of these three quarterbacks in anything but the deepest Superflex leagues. If you're truly desperate, Cunningham could offer some end-of-season upside with his legs. He ran for 34 yards and a touchdown in the opening Preseason contest.

It’s time to turn to Bailey Zappe. Full stop. Give him every starter rep in practice. Build a simple offense around what he can do.

It probably won’t win a lot of games. The body of evidence we have suggests Zappe won’t be a successful NFL quarterback. But you can’t keep turning to Mac Jones. He’s broken.

Related players: Will Grier, Malik Cunningham

This is just one opinion and has nothing to do with the Patriots ultimate decision heading into Week 13. But it makes some sense. The story said with Jones on the field, it feels like the entire team is just waiting for him to make a crippling mistake. The story added the team seems to have no interest in Cunningham playing quarterback (considering the coaches have kept him from his natural WR position as much as possible). The team doesn't seem likely to turn to a QB that's still on the waiver wire, so the Pats appear ready to close out the season with one or more of the four options on their roster.

Rookie wide receiver Cedric Tillman had his best game in Denver, catching four passes for 55 yards.

Tillman and Dorian Thompson-Robinson were high school teammates, and the two got plenty of chances to build on their previous chemistry during training camp and the preseason, the story said. Tillman’s ascent is perhaps the most important development the receiving corps has seen in weeks, the story added. With DTR in doubt for this week because of a concussion, the story wondered if Tillman can continue his upswing with a new QB possibly playing this week. Tillman's five targets were a season high as well as the four catches and 55 yards. He's likely on your wire in typical leagues and may be worth a look if you're aiming to add to the position for the stretch run. However, quarterback play will likely be a big issue with Tillman and all the Brown WRs going forward.

The Browns (7-4) are fighting for a playoff spot and trying to find any real answer for their reeling offense. So, yes — full Allen Iverson voice — we’re talking about practice and specifically about the importance of maximizing their chances to build a strong game plan inside their temporary West Coast headquarters this week.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson had shown growth and an improved comfort level in Denver before suffering the concussion, but the Browns weren’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard. P.J. Walker did little in relief except turn it over and take a safety. And, frankly, the game was pretty much over by the time he could get loose. Nothing Stefanski has done or said indicates he wants to go back to Walker, but he might have to.

Related players: Joe Flacco

Flacco is the wild card. If DTR can't clear protocol, it's possible Flacco could get the start. But the bigger question is can the team get Flacco ready in time and can he quickly develop chemistry with the receivers. Flacco isn’t mobile, but he’s always had a big arm. The story said he was not in a training camp and had been at home in New Jersey awaiting the kind of call he received from the Browns. The story added Walker hasn’t been afraid to throw downfield, but he’s completing only 48.6 percent of his passes and has thrown five interceptions and just one touchdown. No matter who starts at this point, they aren't necessarily a great fantasy option in typical leagues. However in deeper, two QB or superflex leagues, there is always a need for a starting QB who may be on the waiver wire.

Bill Belichick not budging when asked about his starting QB, repeating what he said earlier in the week: Told everybody to be ready to go.

Related Players: Mac Jones, Bailey Zapper, Malik Cunningham

One of the least compelling quarterback controversies in recent memory, not of these QB options make sense in your fantasy lineup.

Saints coach Dennis Allen told reporters that QB Derek Carr was a full participant in practice, a sign he's progressing through the NFL's concussion protocol.

Related Players: Jameis Winston

Winston is certainly far more fun to watch, but Carr is likely better for more of the Saints' fantasy pieces (i.e. Alvin Kamara). If Carr doesn't get cleared, Winston makes for a great QB streamer.

Mac Jones was asked if he’s starting: “Hope so. That’s the plan, I think.”

Related Players: Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham

You can feel the confidence exude out of the Patriots QB. No matter who gets the start, leave them on the waiver wire.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will be making the call on the team’s starting quarterback for this week’s game against the Giants and he wasn’t in a sharing mood when it came to his thoughts on the matter on Tuesday.

“I’ve told all the players the same thing: Be ready to go. Hopefully they will be,” Belichick said.

Related players: Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Will Grier, Malik Cunningham

As the story said, Jones has started every game this year, but he was pulled in favor of Zappe for the final drive of the team’s Week 10 loss to the Colts. Grier is also on the 53-man roster and Cunningham is on the practice squad, but Belichick didn’t bite when asked at his press conference if he’s made a decision about who will be under center on Sunday. From a fantasy standpoint, this isn't a decision that should impact most leagues outside of the very deepest.

The Patriots will come off their bye this week to take on the Giants on the road. At this point, there’s not much clarity as to who will be the starting quarterback.

Related players: Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Will Grier

We may have to wait another day or two to find out who will get the start, but despite a matchup against the Giants, the starter will likely not be a great fantasy option anyway.