David Bell News

Bell finished the season with just one catch on four targets over the final three weeks. He had thumb and toe injuries down the stretch, missing nearly two full games, which impacted him over the final five games. The rookie slot receiver finished the year with 24 catches, 35 targets and 214 yards. Bell had steady, if minor, production prior to the injury and, like every pass-catcher, will wait for Deshaun Watson to return to form the quarterback had prior to a long layoff. If the old Watson is back in 2023, the Browns will likely throw more, and Bell could build off the modest output of his rookie season.

Bell rejoined the active roster after missing one week due to a toe injury. He had 51 snaps and a 73-percent share, season highs for the rookie wideout. Cleveland's passing attack has taken a step back since Deshaun Watson returned from his suspension, so expected output for Bell and others should be seen through that filter. The Browns had fewer than 200 passing yards for the third time in four starts, with the offense averaging 170 passing yards when Watson starts.

Bell is thus slated to return to the mix after missing one game, but as the Browns' No. 3 wideout option behind Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones, the 2022 third-rounder brings modest fantasy upside to the table in Week 16. Over the course of 13 games, the Purdue product has hauled in 23 of his 31 targets for 196 yards.

Bell, who missed last week's game against the Ravens, was a limited participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report. Comments from Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski did not clearly indicate Bell would return -- he praised wide receiver coaches for having Bell's fill-ins ready last week -- but there was surety in the language Cabot used. Her counterpart, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal, reported that head coach Kevin Stefanski "sounded confident" regarding Bell's availability Saturday. Bell has been a steady, if limited, contributor over 13 games, catching 23 of 31 targets for 196 yards.

The rookie sat out the Browns' Week 15 win over the Ravens with listed toe and thumb injuries, but the former issue is the only one attached to his name as Cleveland begins preparing for Saturday's game against the Saints. Bell already looks to be in a better spot on the health front compared to last week, as he failed to practice in any fashion Wednesday through Friday before sitting out against Baltimore. The Browns may still need to see Bell put in a full practice Wednesday or Thursday before officially clearing him for the weekend.

Bell was listed as a non-participant in practice Tuesday through Thursday before being the lone Cleveland player assigned a Week 15 injury designation (questionable). He'll sit this one out, with 2022 sixth-rounder Michael Woods and hybrid running back/receiver Demetric Felton likely next up for added snaps Saturday alongside starting WRs Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.