Barnidge caught eight passes off of 10 targets for 139 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over Baltimore.

Even in what was a clouded Browns receiving corps, few could have expected Barnidge to lead the team in receptions through five weeks. His 24 catches already top a career high and there may be more where that came from. Barnidge was targeted just six times in the season's first two weeks, but has seen 26 passes come in his direction in the three games since. Without many distinguished targets in Cleveland and a quarterback geared toward ball control, expect the 6-foot-6 veteran to continue to be featured prominently.

Barnidge caught all six of his targets for 75 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-27 loss at San Diego.

Barnidge was involved throughout the game (three receptions for 40 yards in the first half), but his spectacular one-handed, 19-yard circus catch late in the fourth quarter was the highlight. That reception put the ball on the Chargers' one-yard line, and he fittingly scored two plays later. The journeyman TE has become one of Josh McCown's favorite targets, with 12 receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns over the last two games. It remains to be seen if Barnidge can keep things going, but he's receiving a ton of snaps, so it doesn't seem that unrealistic. Next week, he'll face a beatable Ravens' secondary.

Barnidge led the Browns with six catches, 105 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets in Sunday's loss to the Raiders.

Barnidge has clearly established himself as the team's top pass-catching tight end, and he managed to get himself open consistently against the Raiders. Defenses will have to start paying more attention to the 30-year-old as the season goes on, but he and quarterback Josh McCown appear to have enough chemistry to make Barnidge worth a good look in most formats.

Barnidge caught three passes on five targets for 38 yards in Sunday's loss to the Jets.

Barnidge led the entire tight end position group in targets, seeing more action than Jim Dray (three targets) and Rob Housler (zero targets). Expect this pattern to continue, as Barnidge was listed as the No. 1 tight end on the team's official depth chart. He also had plenty of time to work with quarterback Johnny Manziel on the second-team offense in 2014, so if Manziel ends up taking over as the starter, the chemistry is already there. Whether or not this translates to fantasy relevance remains to be seen.

Barnidge, who did not catch a pass in Thursday's preseason opener, remains the starting tight end on the Browns second "unofficial" preseason depth chart, ESPN Cleveland reports.

Barnidge is competing with Rob Housler and Jim Dray for the starting tight end gig in Cleveland, and appears to be the frontrunner so far. Out of that entire group, only Housler was targeted in the preseason opener. Fantasy owners should temper their expectations for the Browns tight end position group this year, but if one had to be picked in the later rounds of a deep draft, Barnidge looks to be the best bet at this point.

Barnidge is listed as a starter on the Browns' unofficial depth chart, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Regardless of whether he beats out Jim Dray and Rob Housler for the starting job, Barnidge won't have a major role in the passing game. He's carved out a nice career as a blocking-oriented backup tight end, but he only has 44 receptions in 92 career games. Dray is a similar player, leaving Housler as the only real threat to contribute as a receiver. In all likelihood, Cleveland will rank near the bottom of the league in receptions and receiving yards from tight ends.

Barnidge, who did not catch a pass in the Browns' regular season finale, finished the season with 13 catches (25 targets) for 156 yards and no touchdowns.

Barnidge saw a bit more work this season than originally anticipated, as starter Jordan Cameron missed six games due to shoulder and head injuries. It was then up to Barnidge and Jim Dray to take charge, but neither option was able to put up major counting stats in any given week. If the Browns lose Cameron to free agency this offseason, Barnidge could see a similar opportunity, but based on his 2014 season, it wouldn't be wise to count on a sudden increase in production.

Barnidge (ribs) is active for Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Barnidge will suit up for the first time since Week 13, but his snaps will likely be limited with starter Jordan Cameron back in the mix.

Barnidge (rib) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens , the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

With Jordan Cameron back in the Browns' lineup these days, Barnidge is off the fantasy radar in most cases.

Barnidge (ribs) is inactive for Sunday's matchup with the Panthers.

Barnidge will take a seat for the third straight week, with Jim Dray the likely candidate to back up starting tight end Jordan Cameron. It's unclear at this point if Barnidge will be able to return this season.

Barnidge (rib) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

With Jordan Cameron back in the Browns' lineup, Barnidge's Week 16 status is of more import to the team's depth at tight end than it is to fantasy owners.

Barnidge (rib) returned to a limited practice Wednesday, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

While the return of Barnidge to practice is a step in the right direction for the tight end, his status for Sunday's game against the Panthers has yet to be solidified. "Barnidge will work today, but no contact," coach Mike Pettine said Wednesday of Barnidge, who has missed the Browns' last two games. "We won't know till the end of the week how he feels running around from a comfort level, how we can protect him."

Barnidge (ribs) won't play Sunday against the Bengals, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

With Jordan Cameron back in the Browns' lineup, Barnidge is off the fantasy radar in most cases, anyway.

Barnidge (ribs) did not practice Wednesday, according to Scott Petrak Elyria of the Chronicle-Telegram.

With Jordan Cameron back in action, Barnidge's Week 15 status is of more import to the Browns' depth at tight end than it is to fantasy owners.

Barnidge (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Colts, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

With 13 catches for 156 yards in 12 games to date, Barnidge has offered modest fantasy utility, but his absence is a hit to the Browns' depth at tight end, particularly with Jordan Cameron listed as questionable by the team this week.

Barnidge (rib) will likely be out for Sunday's game against the Colts, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Meanwhile, coach Mike Pettine is cautiously optimistic that fellow TE Jordan Cameron can play Sunday, but either way, Barnidge is off the Week 14 fantasy radar, given his cloudy status.

Barnidge (ribs) won't practice Wednesday, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Barnidge's status for Sunday's game against the Colts is unclear, but he's only of note in the deepest of formats despite having seen added TE reps for the Browns of late in Jordan Cameron's absence.

Barnidge (ribs) is perhaps dealing with a "more serious" injury than originally anticipated, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Barnidge suffered a ribs injury on the Browns' opening drive of Sunday's loss to the Bills, and was later ruled out for the remainder of the contest. He now seems to be dealing with an ailment that is a bit more concerning than first thought, likely placing his status for Week 14 in jeopardy. If he's unable to go, look for the team to lean heavily on Jim Dray -- unless, of course, Jordan Cameron (concussion) is finally cleared to play.

Barnidge (ribs) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's contest against the Bills.

Barnidge suffered the ribs injury during the Browns' opening drive, and will miss the remainder of the game. Jim Dray will serve as the primary tight end the rest of the way out, with Ryan Taylor serving in two tight end sets.

Barnidge (ribs) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Bills, Joe Reedy of FOX Sports Ohio reports.

Barnidge was able to walk off the field under his own power after injuring himself on a six-yard reception on the Browns' opening drive. If he's unable to return, look for Jim Dray to see the majority of the targets in the passing game, with Ryan Taylor an outside candidate to see additional work (though likely as a run-blocker).