RADIO
Dylan Sampson Returns to Practice
One day after being designated to return from Injured Reserve, Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (knee) returned to practice on Thursday for the first time since Week 1. Starting running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) has not practiced this week with an ankle injury, and Raheim Sanders (hip) recently landed on Injured Reserve with a hip injury, creating a potential opportunity for Sampson to return to a wide-open backfield. There is no guarantee he will be made active ahead of the team's Week 6 divisional matchup with the Ravens, and a potential snap count could see him splitting time with Jaleel McLaughlin. Still, fantasy managers in a pinch should look for Sampson on waivers and continue to monitor the Browns' injury report.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Quinshon Judkins Still Not Practicing Thursday
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) is missing his second consecutive practice after injuring his ankle in a Week 5 loss to the New York Jets, and he is now in danger of missing the team's Week 6 divisional matchup with the Ravens. Judkins has reportedly shed the walking boot in which he was spotted following Sunday's loss, but he has been unable to return to the practice field. In more positive news, fellow second-year back Dylan Sampson (knee) returned to practice on Thursday after being designated to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday. His presence makes for a more challenging fantasy outlook should Judkins miss Sunday's action. Raheim Sanders (hip) has been Judkins ' primary backup in Sampson's absence, but he was recently placed on Injured Reserve with a hip injury.
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Quinshon Judkins Misses Practice, In Danger of Missing Week 6
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday and is in danger of missing Sunday's game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 6, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Judkins no longer has a walking boot on his right foot after getting injured in the Week 5 loss to the New York Jets, but he is not practicing and is up in the air to be available this weekend. Cleveland's backfield is an injured mess right now with Judkins banged up and Raheim Sanders (hip) going on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. Dylan Sampson (knee) remains on IR, although the Browns opened his 21-day practice window this week. If Judkins is not cleared to play and Sampson does not return from IR, the Browns will be down to Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime in their backfield against the Ravens. The 22-year-old Judkins is averaging only 3.0 yards per carry through five games in 2026 with 73 rushing attempts for 221 yards and one touchdown on the ground, adding 18 receptions for 102 yards as a receiver. Judkins is shaping up as a very risky fantasy RB on the RB2/3 borderline in Week 6 against the Ravens.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Dylan Sampson Returning to Practice on Wednesday
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (knee) has been designated to return from Injured Reserve and will practice with the team on Wednesday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Sampson will return to practice this week, but that does not mean he will be officially activated from IR to play in Week 6 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Starting RB Quinshon Judkins (ankle) tweaked his ankle in the Week 5 loss to the New York Jets and is up in the air to play against Baltimore, and Raheim Sanders (hip) landed on IR on Tuesday. If Judkins cannot play and the Browns are not ready to activate Sampson, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime would be the next men up in the Browns' backfield against Baltimore. The 22-year-old Sampson is merely a deep-league bench stash for RB depth. He did not have a single touch on offense in the 34-10 Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars before getting hurt and landing on IR. UPDATE: Scott Petrak reports that head coach Todd Monken said that Sampson could play on Sunday versus the Ravens.
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
Quinshon Judkins Walking Without a Boot on Wednesday
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) is walking around the locker room without a walking boot on Wednesday, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Head coach Todd Monken said on Monday that Judkins is day-to-day after tweaking his ankle on Sunday in the Week 5 loss to the New York Jets. Backfield mate Raheim Sanders (hip) was also injured on Sunday and landed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, so Cleveland's backfield could be thinned out in Week 6 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens if Judkins is unable to play. Remember, Dylan Sampson (knee) is also on IR, although he has been designated to return to practice this week. If Judkins is not cleared to play this weekend, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime would split the backfield work for the Browns against the Ravens. Through the first five weeks of his second season in the NFL, Judkins ranks as the RB24 in half-PPR scoring, rushing for 221 yards and one touchdown on 73 carries while catching 18 passes for 102 yards through the air. Keep a close eye on his practice status this week. UPDATE: Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports that Judkins did not practice on Wednesday.
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Jaleel McLaughlin a Top RB Stash Amid Backfield Injuries in Cleveland
Cleveland Browns running back Jaleel McLaughlin has played a minimal role in his team's offense so far in 2026, recording just two carries for 31 yards and a touchdown across four games. However, the 26-year-old could be poised for a significant workload increase in Week 6 and beyond. The Browns placed RB2 Raheim Sanders (hip) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, guaranteeing that he will miss Cleveland's next four games. Additionally, starting running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) suffered an ankle injury in the Browns' Week 5 loss to the New York Jets, which could threaten his availability in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. Particularly in deeper league formats, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing McLaughlin off the waiver wire just in case he ends up leading the Cleveland backfield in Week 6.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Raheim Sanders Placed on Injured Reserve
The Cleveland Browns have placed running back Raheim Sanders (hip) on Injured Reserve, per a team announcement. Sanders has served as the primary backup running back in Cleveland behind RB1 Quinshon Judkins (ankle) this season, recording 117 scrimmage yards on 20 touches across five games. However, Sanders will now miss the Browns' next four games at least. Judkins' availability for Week 6 is also in question, as he's dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered in Week 5. The Browns signed running back Audric Estime to replace Sanders on the active roster. If Judkins is forced to miss time, Estime and veteran back Jaleel McLaughlin could handle Cleveland's backfield work in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Source: Cleveland Browns
Source: Cleveland Browns
Raheim Sanders' Waiver Value Hinges on Two Injuries
Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders (hip) has a potential opportunity for additional work in Week 6 against Baltimore, but his own health could prevent him from taking advantage. Sanders exited Sunday's 17-12 loss to the New York Jets after recording three carries for 12 yards and one reception for one yard. Quinshon Judkins (ankle) was also seen wearing a walking boot following the game, although head coach Todd Monken described him as day-to-day Monday and did not rule him out against the Ravens. Sanders has operated as Cleveland's primary backup with Dylan Sampson (knee) on injured reserve, catching 11 passes for 74 yards through five games while handling just nine carries. The Browns could open Sampson's practice window this week and are reportedly adding Audric Estime, further complicating the backfield alongside Jaleel McLaughlin. Sanders would become more interesting if Judkins misses time, provided his hip injury doesn't limit him. For now, he's a speculative stash in deeper PPR leagues rather than someone fantasy managers should count on starting in Week 6.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Browns Sign Audric Estime Amid RB Injuries
The Cleveland Browns are signing running back Audric Estime off the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad to their 53-man roster on Monday, sources told Jordan Schultz. The 23-year-old Estime brings 508 career rushing yards, 130 receiving yards, and three touchdowns to his new team. The Browns' running back room is banged up after starter Quinshon Judkins (ankle) and Raheim Sanders (hip) were both injured in the Week 5 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday. Dylan Sampson (knee) could return to practice this week, but he is not a lock to be activated from Injured Reserve to play in Week 6 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Jaleel McLaughlin is the only other RB on the Browns' active roster, so Estime could be thrust into a significant role immediately if Judkins, Sanders, and Sampson are all unavailable to play this weekend. Estime, a former fifth-rounder from Notre Dame in 2024 by the Denver Broncos, has yet to play in 2026 after appearing in only seven games in 2025 with the New Orleans Saints.
Source: Jordan Schultz
Source: Jordan Schultz
Browns Could Open Dylan Sampson's Practice Window This Week
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said that there is a "possibility" that the team opens running back Dylan Sampson's (knee) 21-day practice window this week to return from Injured Reserve, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Sampson has missed the last four games with a knee injury. Cleveland's backfield depth is being tested with Sampson out and lead back Quinshon Judkins is now day-to-day after tweaking his ankle in the Week 5 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday. Judkins was seen wearing a walking boot after the game on Sunday, and Raheim Sanders (hip) is also questionable for Week 6 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens after he was injured against the Jets. The only other RB currently on the active roster is Jaleel McLaughlin, so at the very least, McLaughlin could be bumped up to the RB2 role this weekend. If Sampson returns to practice this week, it does not guarantee he will officially be activated from IR and play on Sunday against Baltimore. Sampson did not have a single touch in the Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
Quinshon Judkins Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is not ruling anyone out for Sunday's divisional clash in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens, according to Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram. Monken added that Judkins is day-to-day after tweaking his ankle in the Week 5 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday. The 22-year-old second-year back played only 52.9% of the offensive snaps in the 17-12 loss in New York and handled 14 carries for 44 yards (3.1 yards per attempt) while catching three of his four targets for six yards. Judkins was seen in a walking boot after the game. Backfield mate Raheim Sanders (hip) was also injured in the same contest and left the game, so Cleveland's backfield depth could be tested at a bad time against the Ravens' defense this weekend. Judkins has underwhelmed so far as an RB in fantasy so far in 2026 in his second year in the league, averaging 3.0 yards per carry for 221 yards and one touchdown in four games, adding 18 receptions for 102 yards as a receiver. The only other RB on the Browns' current roster is Jaleel McLaughlin. Fantasy managers will need to keep a close eye on Judkins' status from Wednesday through Friday.
Source: The Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Source: The Chronicle-Telegram - Scott Petrak
Quinshon Judkins Wearing Boot Following Sunday's Loss
According to Chris Easterling of The Akron Beacon Journal, Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins was seen wearing a boot on his right foot in the locker room following Sunday's loss to the New York Jets. Judkins took on his typical workhorse role in this contest, logging 14 carries for 44 yards and drawing another of his targets in the passing game, catching three for six yards. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status, as this injury could keep him out of Week 6 when the Browns face the Baltimore Ravens. In the event Judkins is unable to play, Raheim Sanders would likely see the bulk of the work out of the backfield. For now, Judkins is a name to closely monitor during the early practices leading up to Week 6. Sanders has sneaky short-term stash upside for those in deeper leagues.
Source: Chris Easterling
Source: Chris Easterling
Raheim Sanders Does Not Have Standalone Value in Week 5
Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders has fantasy football value as a deep-league handcuff behind starter Quinshon Judkins, but he will once again have zero standalone value going into a Week 5 matchup against the New York Jets. It is an enticing matchup for the Browns' backfield -- the Jets have allowed 123.5 rushing yards so far this year (eighth-most) -- but Judkins is expected to be a workhorse yet again, leaving little for Sanders. In last Thursday night's win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, Sanders had only two carries for nine yards and caught both of his targets for seven yards through the air. Although he has been efficient with the football in his hands -- he is averaging 5.2 yards per carry -- Sanders has seen just six rushing attempts through four games for 31 yards and has caught 10 of 11 targets for 73 yards as a receiver. The former undrafted free agent from South Carolina is only rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues because of his limited volume in Cleveland's backfield.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Quinshon Judkins Has Tasty Matchup in Week 5
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins is coming off a solid performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers and hopes to keep it rolling against a leaky Jets run defense. New York has given up 123.5 yards per game on the ground this season, the eighth-worst mark in the NFL. This past week against the Chicago Bears, the Jets allowed Bears running back Kyle Monangai to rumble for 146 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 30 carries, averaging 4.9 yards per carry along the way. Chicago racked up 232 yards rushing on a 4.3 yards-per-carry average in the win. Judkins recorded 53 yards rushing and a touchdown on 17 carries while adding six receptions for 43 yards during a win over the Steelers last week. He is RotoBaller's 18th-ranked running back and is projected to score 13 fantasy points against the Jets.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dylan Sampson's Receiving Upside Makes Him Worth an IR Stash
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (knee) is approaching his earliest possible return from injured reserve, making him worth a look for fantasy managers with an open IR spot. Sampson injured his knee on a kickoff return in Week 1 and was placed on IR on Sept. 15, leaving Week 6 against Baltimore as the earliest he can play again. Cleveland has not announced a return timetable, but the potential receiving role makes him interesting. Sampson caught 33 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, and the Browns have sent 25.2% of their targets to running backs through four weeks, the third-highest rate in the league. Quinshon Judkins remains the lead back, with Raheim Sanders handling much of the complementary work during Sampson's absence. There is no guarantee Sampson immediately takes those opportunities back, especially after missing several weeks. Still, his receiving ability gives him some appeal in PPR leagues, and managers who can afford to wait should consider stashing him before Cleveland gets closer to activating him.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
