Browns will have new backup quarterback on Sunday against Steelers; rookie pass-catcher is active

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns tight extremity Harold Fannin Jr. said connected Friday he planned to play against nan Steelers aft leaving believe pinch a groin wounded and he was existent to his word.

The rookie tight extremity is progressive connected Sunday.

The news is not arsenic bully for different rookie, backmost Dillon Gabriel, who was added to nan wounded study connected Friday pinch a near enarthrosis injury. He is inactive and backmost Bailey Zappe, elevated from nan believe squad connected Saturday, will backmost up Shedeur Sanders.

Gabriel, cornerback Myles Harden, violative lineman Kendrick Green, violative tackle Jeremiah Byers, wide receiver Jamari Thrash, tight extremity David Njoku and protect tackle Sam Kamara are each inactive.

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Cornerback Denzel Ward, who said connected Tuesday he planned to return this week, is besides backmost for nan Browns. He missed nan past 2 games pinch a calf injury.

Ward was named to his 3rd consecutive Pro Bowl and 5th wide this week.

Sunday besides marks nan return of rookie moving backmost Dylan Sampson, who has missed nan past 2 games pinch a manus injury.

He had 59 receiving yards successful Sanders’ first commencement against nan Raiders and added 64 receiving yards against nan Titans successful Week 14.

Steelers inactive for Sunday are QB Will Howard (3rd QB), wide receiver Calvin Austin III, moving backmost Kaleb Johnson, cornerback Brandin Echols, cornerback James Pierre, defender Isaac Seumalo, linebacker T.J. Watt and protect lineman Logan Lee.

Fannin has 70 catches for 701 yards and 5 touchdowns successful 15 games. He holds nan grounds for astir receptions by a Browns rookie and has nan sixth astir receiving yards by a Browns rookie.

The Browns besides elevated tight extremity Sal Cannella from nan believe squad connected Saturday.

Gabriel started six games for nan Browns, replacing Joe Flacco successful Week 4 against nan Vikings successful London. He mislaid nan occupation to Sanders aft suffering a concussion against nan Ravens successful Week 11.

Fannin, Gabriel, Sampson, Teller, Harden and Kamara were each listed arsenic questionable connected Friday.

Njoku and linebacker Winston Reid were ruled out.

Dan Labbe has been a Browns newsman since 2016. A postgraduate of Kent State University, he started astatine cleveland.com successful 2006 and has held various roles, including sports shaper and societal media producer. Prior...