Harold Fannin Jr. made a spectacular play for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers but it came at a cost for the Cleveland Browns.
Fannin made a spectacular adjustment on a pass from Shedeur Sanders and rolled into the end zone for his sixth touchdown of the year. But after the game, Fannin came up with an ailing groin, which was bothering him heading into the matchup.
After spending some time in the medical tent, Fannin tested out the injury on the sideline. However, he quickly retreated to the locker room with trainers.
The Browns dubbed Fannin questionable to return with a groin injury at the end of the first quarter. Fannin was ruled out at the start of the second half.
Fannin initially suffered the injury during Friday’s practice and was questionable entering the matchup.
“Just had something come up. Sometimes injuries happen on a Friday, and you got to see how it progresses to Sunday,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’ll do everything he can to be out there.”
Fannin said he’d give it a go, which he did. However, he paid the price for pushing it. He has had a record-setting rookie season with the Browns. Fannin is the team’s top pass-catcher this season. He entered Sunday with 701 yards on 70 catches with five touchdowns.
Browns Shorthanded Against Steelers
The Browns entered the matchup with the Steelers shorthanded at some key positions, including tight end. The Browns were already missing former Pro Bowler David Njoku, who has missed the last three games with a knee injury.
The Browns elevated practice squad tight end Sal Cannella on Sunday to help fill the void. Stefanski said they were confident they could overcome the injuries.
“I think with any injury potential, you always prepare, as coaches, a game plan where there’s different guys that can step up into different roles,” Stefanski said. “And sometimes it’s a player at that same position, sometimes it’s a player in a different position. You can pivot into different personnel groupings, and that happens in-game as well. So, you always have to have those contingency plans.”
The Browns were also missing running backs Quinshon Judkins and Jerome Ford. However, rookie Dylan Sampson was active for the matchup.
Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Misses Steelers Game
Sanders got the start against the Steelers but his backup, Dillon Gabriel, missed the game with a shoulder injury. Gabriel was inactive for the matchup, and the Browns brought up Bailey Zappe to fill the backup role.
Gabriel missed time earlier this season after suffering a concussion, creating an opening that allowed Sanders to take over as the starter. Sanders seized the opportunity and never relinquished the role, leaving Gabriel unable to reclaim his spot atop the depth chart.
As a result, Gabriel now faces an uncertain future in Cleveland. While Sanders continues to audition as the franchise’s potential long-term answer at quarterback, Gabriel remains in limbo heading into the offseason.
Gabriel started six games this season, going 1-5 while passing for 937 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. The Browns wrap up the regular season next week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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