The Cleveland Browns are getting Josh Gordon back for Week 12 and he is a strong start option on Sunday, while Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell are sleeper options going forward, as the team ditched Ben Tate and now they are the best fantasy football starters at RB for Brian Hoyer down the back stretch of the season, especially with Jordan Cameron dealing with a concussion.
The Browns are thrilled to get Gordon back and he said that he is ready to have a big game after being out with a suspension this season. Gordon led the league in receiving yards last season in just 14 games and now he will have six to try and help the Browns make the playoffs. Gordon is a strong start option along with Andrew Hawkins, as Hawkins has played well in the absence of Gordon and now may find some more space with him on the other side of the field.
The Browns also released Tate and he was signed by the Vikings and now that gives both Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West chances to step up. Crowell has the hot hand right now, but a few weeks ago it was West and that means both are worth starting in fantasy leagues heading into Week 12. Gordon has the chance to put up great numbers over the back stretch of the season and if the rushing game can stay consistent, it should only help the passing game for Brian Hoyer.
Hoyer has not put up amazing stats this season, but he hasn't turned the ball over and he has been playing without his two best weapons. Gordon and Jordan Cameron are the top two offensive players for the Browns and Gordon has missed the entire season, while Cameron has been injured on and off. Cameron is expected to be out again with a concussion and is expected to miss his fourth straight game. Gordon may need some time to get back to game speed, but he has been able to work out with the team.
Gordon likely will be on the field for most of the offensive snaps this week and he comes in after putting up 87 catches for 1646 yards last season. Gordon set career highs across the board and now he has the chance to flash his skills again. West and Crowell have played well and after West had the bulk of the carries a few weeks ago, it has been Crowell that has been the main option. Last week West had five carries for 12 yards and now he has 408 yards on the season.
Crowell comes into the game on Sunday with 358 yards on the season and five TDs and he has been getting the RB1 carries in recent play. Crowell had 14 carries in the game for 61 yards and he also made two catches in the game. Crowell is the hot hand for now and is worth starting for fantasy owners and he could be a good option moving forward over West. The Browns are right in the mix in the AFC and getting Gordon back could be huge.