{"id":372042,"date":"2025-12-26T23:35:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T23:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/372042\/"},"modified":"2025-12-26T23:35:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T23:35:07","slug":"browns-could-be-without-top-pass-game-target-against-steelers-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/372042\/","title":{"rendered":"Browns Could Be Without Top Pass-Game Target Against Steelers (Update)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cleveland Browns may be down their top passing game target Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr. suffered a groin injury<\/a> during Friday\u2019s practice, per ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter, leaving his status in question for the weekend.<\/p>\n

It would be another big blow to an offense already playing without rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, who is out for the season after breaking his leg last weekend.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. suffered a groin injury during today\u2019s practice, and the team wants to see how he feels this weekend before deciding whether he can play Sunday vs. the Steelers.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Though Fannin has not been ruled out, the Browns figure to be cautious with him in a lost season. He enters the weekend as Cleveland\u2019s leading receiver, posting 70 receptions for 701 yards and five touchdowns this season. He\u2019s the team leader in every major receiving category. In Week 6against Pittsburgh, Fannin caught seven passes for 81 yards on 10 targets.<\/p>\n

UPDATE (2:30 PM):\u00a0Fannin told reporters he expects to play Sunday.<\/p>\n

#Browns<\/a> Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) said he expects to face the #Steelers<\/a> Sunday despite suffering the injury in practice today.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) December 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

As he did in college at Bowling Green, Fannin has worn many hats for the Browns\u2019 offense. Capable of aligning all over the formation, Fannin has carried the ball on designed runs and even occasionally played quarterback.<\/p>\n

With veteran TE David Njoku battling a knee injury likely to keep him out another week, the Browns are suddenly thin at the position. Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates are the other two tight ends on their 53-man roster. Combined, the pair have just two catches for four yards. Whiteheart had been playing 10-30 snaps per game in recent weeks while Bates has only recently recorded playing time, logging a season-high 28 snaps in the Browns\u2019 Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills.<\/p>\n

Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will be making his sixth start of the season. If Fannin is out, his top targets will be wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond, and Malachi Corley. Cleveland ranks 31st in scoring offense and has scored less than 17 points per game with Sanders in the lineup.<\/p>\n

The Steelers and Browns kick off Sunday at 1 PM\/EST. Fannin\u2019s fate may not be known until inactives are posted 90 minutes ahead of the game, though any roster elevations the Browns make by Saturday\u2019s 4 PM\/EST deadline will hint at his status.<\/p>\n