Andy Janovich

Houston Texans
Running Back #32
Houston Texans
Running Back #32

Andy Janovich News

Let go Sunday

Janovich was released by the Texans on Sunday.

Analysis: 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 the fullback competition down to Paul Quessenberry and Troy Hairston for Houston, while Janovich will work to find a new opportunity elsewhere.

Aug 21, 2022 2:38 PM EST


Coach wants fullback

Houston head coach Lovie Smith said Tuesday that "odds are" the team will carry a fullback, which could be Janovich, on its active roster in 2022, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis: 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 be a big beneficiary of the run commitment, but he could be on the field often as a blocker for Marlon Mack.

Jun 7, 2022 7:26 PM EST



Signing with Texans

Janovich agreed to sign a one-year contract with the Texans on Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The Browns didn't exercise Janovich's option prior to the new league year, but he's in line to serve 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.

Mar 23, 2022 2:05 PM EST


Set to become free agent

The Browns didn't exercise Janovich's option Monday, so he'll become a free agent when the new league year begins Mar. 14, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: 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 sixth-year career.

Mar 7, 2022 12:52 PM EST


Catches first pass in win

Janovich caught his lone target for three yards and had two kick returns for 19 yards in Sunday's 24-22 win over Baltimore.

Analysis: 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. 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.

Dec 13, 2021 4:06 AM EST



Active for Week 9

Janovich (hamstring) was activated off of injured reserve Saturday ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Bengals.

Analysis: 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.

Nov 6, 2021 9:16 AM EST


Designated to return from IR

Janovich (hamstring) has been designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday.

Analysis: 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.

Nov 3, 2021 9:12 AM EST


Lands on IR

The Browns placed Janovich (hamstring) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Analysis: 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.

Oct 12, 2021 1:29 PM EST


Scores two-pointer

Janovich did not have a carry in five snaps and was on the receiving end of a successful two-point conversion in Sunday's 14-7 win over Minnesota.

Analysis: 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 to 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.

Oct 4, 2021 6:08 AM EST


Scores red-zone touchdown

Janovich had two carries for zero yards and scored a touchdown in Sunday's 31-21 win over the Texans.

Analysis: Janovich finished off a drive that started on a short field after Cleveland recovered a muffed punt at the Houston 35-yard-line. After the Texans stopped Nick Chubb on second-and-goal at the 2, Janovich scored on a second and third effort after being hit. It was the first touchdown for the fullback since joining the Browns in 2020.

Sep 20, 2021 4:19 AM EST


Starts, plays 11 snaps

Janovich started and was targeted once in Sunday's 33-29 loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: 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.

Sep 13, 2021 5:58 AM EST


Targeted once in loss

Janovich was targeted once and played nine snaps in Monday's 47-42 loss to Baltimore.

Analysis: Janovich's playing time usually correlates to how often the Browns run the ball, which is what they are known for but weren't in position to do often in a wild Monday night game. The target was just his second since Week 4, and Janovich hasn't carried the ball since Week 5.

Dec 15, 2020 5:17 AM EST


Back from COVID-19 list

Janovich (undisclosed) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Analysis: 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.

Nov 30, 2020 1:59 PM EST


Won't return this week

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.

Analysis: 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.

Nov 25, 2020 1:09 PM EST


Lands on COVID-19 list

The Browns placed Janovich on the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: 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.

Nov 16, 2020 1:52 PM EST


Six snaps in loss

Janovich was targeted once and played six offensive snaps in Sunday's 16-6 loss to the Raiders.

Analysis: This seemed like a day that would suit a player like Janovich. With shifting winds gusting to 35 MPH making the forward pass difficult, the Browns would need to rely on the the running game, but it 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 Week 10 against the Texans.

Nov 2, 2020 5:27 AM EST


Little need in blowout loss

Janovich played just seven snaps in Sunday's 38-7 loss to the Steelers.

Analysis: There was little need for a lead blocking back in Week 6, as the Browns were behind 24-0 in the second quarter. Exactly like Week 1's blowout loss to the Ravens, when Janovich played nine snaps, the full back was on the field just 12 percent of the time.

Oct 20, 2020 4:59 AM EST


Minor role in win

Janovich had two carries for four yards in Sunday's 32-23 win over the Colts.

Analysis: Cleveland's ground game was bottled up by the Colts, which limited Janovich's role in the Browns' fourth consecutive win. His 14 snaps were the second-lowest, behind only the opening-week blowout loss to the Ravens.

Oct 12, 2020 3:32 AM EST


One catch in win

Janovich caught his lone target for 13 yards in Sunday's 34-20 win over Washington in Week 3.

Analysis: Janovich caught his second pass, but his primary role is that of a lead blocker for Cleveland's running attack. The Browns average 5.1 yards per carry and rank tied for fourth with 170.3 yards per game.

Sep 28, 2020 4:35 AM EST


More snaps Week 2

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.

Analysis: 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. They 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.

Sep 18, 2020 7:09 PM EST


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