Week 17 inactives revealed for Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is officially active for the team's Week 17 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There was some initial concern over Fannin Jr.'s availability when he popped up on the injury report on Friday with a groin injury and was listed as questionable.
However, the third-round pick told reporters after practice that his early departure from practice was precautionary and that he expected to play this weekend. That's now official.
The same can't be said for fellow rookie, QB Dillon Gabriel, who also was a late addition to the injury report to conclude the week of practice. Gabriel injured his shoulder during Friday's practice, prompting the elevation of veteran Bailey Zappe to the active roster from the practice squad on Saturday.
Zappe will now serve as the primary backup to Shedeur Sanders with Gabriel out.
Another rookie, in running back Dylan Sampson was also deemed active ahead of kickoff with Pittsburgh. Sampson was tagged with a questionable designation on Friday as he continues working through a hand injury. With Quinshon Judkins sidelined for the season after breaking his leg last week, Sampson is expected to serve as Cleveland's lead back, with Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders likely working in behind him.
Additionally, veteran guard Wyatt Teller is active for Cleveland after being listed as questionable. Teller missed three straight games with a calf injury. Kevin Stefanski made it known that he'll continue to rotate at right guard with 2025 free agent acquisition Teven Jenkins, who has been starting in his place. That duo started strategically rotating in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, before Teller suffered his injury.
The Browns full list of inactives includes:
QB Dillon Gabriel
CB Myles Harden
OL Kendrick Green
T Jeremiah Byers
WR Jamari Thrash
TE David Njoku
Meanwhile, despite T.J. Watt practicing in a limited capacity this week for the Steelers, he was ruled out before the weekend. He did travel with the team to Cleveland, though.
Including Watt, Pittsburgh's inactive list features:
QB Will Howard (emergency QB)
WR Calvin Austin III
RB Kaleb Johnson
CB Brandin Echols
CB James Pierre
G Isaac Seumalo
OLB T.J. Watt