Janovich was released by the Texans on Sunday.
Janovich was one of three fullbacks the Texans were carrying on their roster. The 29-year-old had signed a one-year deal with the team in March after spending the last two seasons in Cleveland. The move will trim down the fullback competition to Paul Quessenberry and Troy Hairston for Houston, while Janovich will work to find a new opportunity elsewhere.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Andy Janovich: Coach wants fullback
Rotowire
Houston head coach Lovie Smith said Tuesday that "odds are" the team will carry a fullback on its active roster in 2022, which could be Janovich, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Carrying a fullback suggests the Texans will be committed to the run, something that new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton mentioned to Kubena in April. It's not expected that Janovich will see a lot of carries, but he could be on the field often as a blocker for Marlon Mack, Rex Burkhead and Dameon Pierce.
... See More... See Less
Texans' Andy Janovich: Signing with Texans
Rotowire
Janovich agreed to a one-year contract with the Texans on Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
After the Browns elected not exercise their team option on Janovich's contract prior to the new league year, the 28-year-old will step in as Houston's primary fullback in 2022. Across his two seasons in Cleveland, the 28-year-old rushed four times for four yards and a touchdown while securing five of nine targets for 22 yards.
... See More... See Less
Andy Janovich: Set to become free agent
Rotowire
The Browns didn't exercise Janovich's option Monday, so he'll become a free agent when the new league year begins March 16, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Janovich has been a starter his entire career and was a Pro Bowl alternate last season, so he'll likely garner plenty of interest from around the league. The 2016 sixth-round pick has scored five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) during his six-year career.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Catches first pass in win
Rotowire
Janovich caught his lone target for three yards and had two kick returns for 19 yards in Sunday's 24-22 win over Baltimore.
Janovich was targeted for the second time this season and made his first catch. He's typically not heavily involved in the offense beyond blocking for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (ankle). As for the kick returns, Janovich was one of the up men on a couple of short kickoffs. JoJo Natson remains Cleveland's primary kick returner.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Active for Week 9
Rotowire
Janovich (hamstring) was activated off of injured reserve Saturday ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Bengals.
Janovich will return to action as the starting fullback for the Browns after missing the last three games with a hamstring injury. Although he has played sparingly this season, he has recorded a two-point conversion and one touchdown on the year.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Designated to return from IR
Rotowire
Janovich (hamstring) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.
Janovich returned to practice Wednesday, which starts the 21-day period for him to be added to the active roster. If he isn't, then he will revert back to injured reserve for the remainder of the season. The Browns waived backup fullback Johnny Stanton on Tuesday, which would suggest they feel confident that Janovich will be available for Week 9.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Lands on IR
Rotowire
The Browns placed Janovich (hamstring) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Janovich was one of three players that the Browns placed on injured reserve Tuesday. The 28-year-old tight end appeared in all five games for Cleveland this year and recorded one rushing touchdown and caught a two-point conversion. He will be sidelined for at least three weeks, but he may miss even more time. The Browns signed Johnny Stanton from their practice squad to their active roster to replace Janovich.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Scores two-point conversion
Rotowire
Janovich did not have a carry on five offensive snaps but was on the receiving end of a successful two-point conversion in Sunday's 14-7 win over Minnesota.
The Vikings were whistled for delay of game on what was to be a traditional extra-point kick, which changed the calculus for head coach Kevin Stefanski, who opted to go for two points from the one-yard line. With "13" personnel on the field, Janovich was in motion and slipped out into the flat for an easy catch, giving Cleveland an 8-7 lead. The fullback now has one touchdown and a two-point conversion in 2021.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Starts, plays 11 snaps
Rotowire
Janovich started and was targeted once in Sunday's 33-29 loss to the Chiefs.
Janovich was targeted on the first series of the game, and that was that for his fantasy relevance. He played a total of 11 snaps on offense. The Browns led for most of the game, which typically means more running and a need for a blocker like Janovich, but that didn't happen Sunday. Cleveland attempted 28 passes to 26 rushes.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Targeted once in loss
Rotowire
Janovich was targeted once and played nine snaps in Monday's 47-42 loss to Baltimore.
The target was just his second since Week 4, and Janovich hasn't carried the ball since Week 5, giving him little fantasy value even if the Browns find him useful as a lead blocker.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Back from COVID-19 list
Rotowire
Janovich (undisclosed) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
The 27-year-old landed on the COVID-19 list in mid-November but returns to the active roster after missing the past couple weeks. Janovich should reclaim his duties on special teams and as a lead blocker in the run game.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Won't return this week
Rotowire
Janovich (undisclosed) won't return from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
The 27-year-old was placed on the COVID-19 list last week and will end up being sidelined for at least two games. The Browns are without a fullback on the active roster with Janovich sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Lands on COVID-19 list
Rotowire
The Browns placed Janovich on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Janovich has either tested positive for the virus or come into close contact with an infected person. If it's the latter, he'll have an opportunity to clear the league's COVID-19 protocol and play in Sunday's game versus the Eagles.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Six snaps in loss
Rotowire
Janovich was targeted once and played six offensive snaps in Sunday's 16-6 loss to the Raiders.
This seemed like a day that would suit a player like Janovich. Shifting winds gusted to 35 MPH and made the forward pass difficult, and it was expected the Browns would need to rely on their running game, but that didn't lead to heavy usage for the fullback. Janovich played fewer than 10 snaps for the third consecutive week. Cleveland is on bye Week 9 and returns to action with a home game in Week 10 against the Texans.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Little need in blowout loss
Rotowire
Janovich played just seven snaps in Sunday's 38-7 loss to the Steelers.
There was little need for a blocking back in Week 6, as the Browns were behind 24-0 by the second quarter. Exactly like Week 1's blowout loss to the Ravens, in which Janovich played nine snaps, the fullback was on the field just 12 percent of the time.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: One catch in win
Rotowire
Janovich caught his lone target for 13 yards in Sunday's 34-20 win over Washington.
Janovich notched his second reception of the season, but catching passes is not his primary role. Paving the way for Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt is why the Browns employ Janovich. The Browns have averaged 5.1 yards per carry this year and are tied for fourth in the league with 170.3 rushing yards per game.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: More snaps Week 2
Rotowire
Janovich caught his lone target for zero yards and played 22 snaps (38 percent) in Thursday's 35-30 win over the Bengals in Week 2.
Janovich had a greater role Week 2 than in Week 1 when he was limited to nine snaps in a blowout loss. The fullback's usage will be a barometer for Cleveland's offense this season. If he's getting significant playing time, the Browns' running game is operating at peak efficiency. The unit averaged 6.1 yards per carry and gained 215 yards Thursday. However, in games like Week 1's loss to the Ravens, Janovich will be limited.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Andy Janovich: Low usage in Week 1 loss
Rotowire
Janovich played just nine snaps (12 percent) in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Ravens in Week 1.
As can be inferred from the final score, the Browns were not able to run their offense as designed, which would have featured a heavy dose of running with Janovich on the field as a lead blocker. Instead, Cleveland was down multiple scores by the second quarter and played catch-up all day.
... See More... See Less
Broncos' Andy Janovich: Heads to IR
Rotowire
Janovich was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
It was only a matter of time before Janovich landed on IR, as the 26-year-old suffered a season-ending dislocated elbow and may require surgery. Andrew Beck will serve as the top fullback going forward, and the Broncos signed Orson Charles to chip in as well.
