The Cleveland Browns’ Thursday practice report included a name the team definitely can’t afford to lose.
Harold Fannin Jr., the Browns’ star tight end who’s been playing his best football as of late, was added as a limited participant due to a groin injury. Fannin was not listed with an injury on Wednesday, which signals that he may not have been able to finish Thursday’s session.
Potentially complicating matters is that a groin injury is what cut Fannin’s rookie season short in 2025 and forced him to miss just about the entire voluntary portion of the Browns’ offseason program this past spring.
The Browns only have one other tight end on their active roster in veteran Blake Whiteheart. Rookie Carsen Ryan was waived by the team on Thursday for the second time this season.
Head coach Todd Monken is scheduled to speak to the media after practice on Friday, and Fannin’s health will likely be a top talking point — among some other health concerns.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson logs second straight DNP
As expected, Watson was listed as a nonparticipant in Thursday’s practice as he continues to work his way through the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol. Watson entered the protocol on Tuesday after self-reporting symptoms to the team on Monday night.
Shedeur Sanders led practice in Watson’s absence for the second straight day, and offensive coordinator Travis Switzer sounded like a man who expects Cleveland’s backup quarterback to play — and play well — in Sunday’s game 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.”
Rookie Emmanuel McNeil-Warren pops up on injury report with a hip issue
McNeil-Warren was another Thursday addition to Cleveland’s practice report with a hip injury.
The second-round rookie defensive back has played in all eight games this season for the Browns with three starts. Cleveland does have the luxury of a deep safety group, but the Saints have a strong passing attack led by quarterback Tyler Shough and wide receiver Chris Olave and McNeil-Warren figures to be part of the defensive game plan.
The former Toledo standout has also been a valuable special teams contributor this season, so the team would feel his absence if Thursday’s injury proves to be serious enough to miss Sunday’s game.
Veteran defensive tackle Maliek Collins remains sidelined with an elbow injury
Collins missed his second straight practice on Thursday. He’s tending to an elbow injury that he picked up during last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Collins was not listed on Cleveland’s Week 8 injury report, so this is a new ailment for the 31-year-old.
Monken told reporters Wednesday that he’s optimistic that Collins will be able to go, along with linebacker Quincy Williams (hamstring) and right guard Austin Barber (calf).
Both Williams and Barber returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday, so they appear to be trending in a positive direction. Collins’ workload on Friday could be telling.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (calf) and linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle) were both limited participants for the second straight day. They should be fine for Sunday’s game barring a setback.
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