December 26, 2025

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Raheim Sanders should see his season-high usage in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Browns' backfield manages injuries. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle, leg), the team's featured ball-carrier since Week 3, underwent season-ending surgery after suffering a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle in the team's Week 16 loss against the Buffalo Bills. Moreover, running back Jerome Ford (shoulder) was placed on IR before Week 15, and fellow rookie running back Dylan Sampson (hand) is questionable for Week 17 after missing the last two games. In Week 16, after Judkins went down, Sanders substituted in as the early downs back and turned his 11 rushing attempts into 42 yards. Most importantly, Sanders logged four red zone rush attempts, with one on the goal line, but failed to reach the end zone. This short-field work was reminiscent of his Week 1 usage when he carried the ball three times, twice at the goal line, for three yards and a touchdown. The Steelers' run defense has allowed just 10 rushing touchdowns all season, tied for the third fewest in the league, and has been a bottom-10 matchup for opposing running backs over the last eight games. However, based on opportunity and anticipated volume, Sanders will probably be a low-end, touchdown-dependent RB3/Flex, and a low-end RB2 if Sampson is ruled out on Sunday.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN