Watson Faces His Old Team and Montgomery Is a Game-Time Call: A Fantasy Game Plan for Texans-Browns

Sunday's 1 p.m. Eastern game in Cleveland is one fantasy managers should circle. The 3-5 Houston Texans visit the 5-4 Browns at Huntington Bank Field, and between Deshaun Watson's return against his former team and a long Houston injury report, there are lineup decisions all over this game ^[2].

Here is how I would handle it.

The Injury Report That Shapes Everything

Houston ruled out receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (hamstring), defensive end Danielle Hunter (hamstring), linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, tight end Brevin Jordan and offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge, Yahoo Sports reported ^[1]. Running back David Montgomery (groin) is questionable after reportedly progressing to full practice, and pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) is also questionable ^[1]. Montgomery has not played since he was hurt in Week 5 ^[1].

For Cleveland, safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (concussion) and fullback Michael Burton (calf) are out, and rookie receiver Denzel Boston is questionable with a toe injury ^[1].

Houston: Start Collins, Watch Montgomery

C.J. Stroud is coming off a 384-yard, five-touchdown performance against the Chargers, according to the Houston Press preview ^[2]. With Harrison sidelined, the passing targets narrow, and that is good news for Nico Collins, whom CBS Sports' Dave Richard lists as a must-start this week ^[6]. Collins is a locked-in WR1 for me.

Montgomery is the real question. If he is active, I would not trust him as more than a flex in his first game back from a groin injury, because teams often ease veterans back in. If you have a healthy alternative with a clear workload, play it safe and check the inactives list about 90 minutes before kickoff. If he is ruled out, the Houston backfield becomes a volume play for whoever gets the bulk of the carries.

The Texans' defense is worth a look, too. RotoBaller ranks Houston's D/ST among its top units for Week 10 ^[5], and game previews noted the Texans entered the week with the NFL's best pass rush, while Watson carries the worst adjusted sack rate among regular starting quarterbacks at 12.0 percent ^[2]. The caveat: Hunter is out and Anderson is questionable, so check Anderson's status before you lock in the Texans' defense.

Cleveland: Sit Watson, Be Careful With the Backfield

Watson returns after missing the Browns' Week 9 game with a concussion ^[2]. CBS Sports lists him as a sit, along with the Browns' D/ST and receiver Jerry Jeudy ^[6]. Against a defense built on pressure, I agree. Watson is a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues and a bench player everywhere else.

Related A First Start for Kyle McCord, an Audition for the Colts: Two Reeling Teams Meet in Indianapolis

Quinshon Judkins is where the experts split. FantasyPros notes he is the RB25 in fantasy points per game but has been losing work to Dylan Sampson since Week 7 ^[4]. RotoBaller calls him an RB3 against a Texans defense that has allowed just one 70-yard rusher since Week 3 ^[5]. CBS has him as a low-end flex in non-PPR formats ^[6], while Yahoo Sports' start list includes him on the belief that he will get enough carries in a close game ^[3].

My call: Judkins is a flex in 12-team leagues only if you are short on options. The split with Sampson caps his ceiling, and the matchup is tough.

At tight end, Harold Fannin Jr. is a sit for most experts. FantasyPros lists him as a sit ^[4] and RotoBaller says he is harder to trust as a TE1 this week ^[5], though CBS is the outlier and lists him as a start ^[6]. I side with the majority unless you are desperate at the position.

The Bottom Line

Start: Nico Collins, C.J. Stroud and the Texans D/ST if Anderson plays.

Flex with caution: David Montgomery if active, Quinshon Judkins in deeper leagues.

Sit: Deshaun Watson, Jerry Jeudy, Harold Fannin Jr. and the Browns D/ST.

Remember that Montgomery and Anderson are both game-time situations, so set a reminder and check before the 1 p.m. kickoff. And if you want a no-cost way to put these calls to the test, the free Liberty Bell Fantasy games are open at /fantasy. Good luck this week, and may your bench stay quiet.