Sampson (knee) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
It's unclear exactly how much time Sampson will miss. He is expected back this season, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, but his placement on IR means he will miss at least the next four games. Jaleel McLaughlin was brought up from the practice squad, and both he and Raheim Sanders -- who played 18 snaps on offense and got four touches Sunday after Sampson's exit -- will work behind starter Quinshon Judkins.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: In line for extended absence
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Sampson (knee) is expected to miss "significant time," Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Sampson hurt his left knee in Sunday's Week 1 loss to Jacksonville and was on crutches while wearing a brace after the game. It appears that further evaluation on the running back has concluded that Sampson is dealing with a severe injury. It's not yet clear exactly how much time he'll miss, though there's certainly a chance he'll end up on IR. Raheim Sanders likely will take on a bigger role in Sampson's absence, and Jaleel McLaughlin could be summoned from the practice squad.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Knee injury still being evaluated
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Coach Todd Monken said Monday the team is still evaluating the severity of Sampson's knee injury, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Monken said more information will be known Wednesday, which would suggest he's playing coy since the Browns aren't required to provide any update until an injury report needs to be released Wednesday. Sampson was on crutches after Sunday's loss to the Jaguars, so he's likely looking at some missed time at least. Quinshon Judkins and Raheim Sanders handled backfield duties with Sampson sidelined.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: On crutches after hurting knee
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Sampson was on crutches and wearing a brace on the left knee he injured during Sunday's loss to Jacksonville, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Sampson was hurt in the first quarter. He was initially deemed questionable but was eventually downgraded to out after being evaluated in the medical tent and the locker room. Quinshon Judkins (12 carries) and Raheim Sanders (one carry) were the only Browns running backs to log any totes during the Week 1 defeat. Sampson is slated to undergo further testing Monday, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Won't return to Sunday's contest
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Sampson (knee) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Sampson was initially deemed questionable to return after injuring his knee in the first quarter, but after making a visit to the medical tent on the sideline followed by two trips to the locker room, the Browns determined that his day is over, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com. His absence leaves Cleveland with Raheim Sanders as its lone backup behind starter Quinshon Judkins for the remainder of the game. Sampson didn't receive any touches on offense but gained 64 yards on two kickoff returns prior to his departure.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Makes impact as receiver Saturday
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Sampson carried the ball four times for six yards and caught both his targets for 43 yards in Saturday's 34-10 preseason loss to the Bears.
The second-year running back ended up leading Cleveland in receiving yards on the day, with his 43-yard reception from Deshaun Watson in the second quarter setting up the team's only TD. Sampson is firmly behind Quinshon Judkins on the backfield depth chart, but the 2025 fourth-round pick should still have a role on passing downs after posting a 33-271-2 line on 40 targets over 15 regular-season games as a rookie.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Continues to work behind Judkins
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Ahead of training camp, Sampson is in line to reprise his role in a Cleveland backfield that will be led by Quinshon Judkins and also includes Raheim Sanders and Ahmani Marshall, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Easterling projects that all four backs will make the Browns' initial 53-man roster ahead of Week 1. While Judkins (230 carries in 14 regular season contests last season) is the clear-cut starter provided he can stay healthy, Sampson, who rushed 65 times for 175 yards and caught 33 passes (on 40 targets) for 271 yards and three receiving scores in 15 games as a rookie last year, could see enough pass-catching volume in 2026 to merit attention in deeper fantasy PPR formats.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Held in check Sunday
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Sampson carried the ball 10 times for 32 yards and caught two of three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 20-18 win over the Bengals.
Making his second straight start with Quinshon Judkins (ankle) done for the year, Sampson wasn't able to get much going, with his longest gain of the day going for only 11 yards. The 2025 fourth-round pick wraps up his first NFL campaign with 446 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, both through the air, on 98 touches over 15 games. Assuming Judkins is healthy for the beginning of next season, Sampson figures to work behind him, primarily on passing downs.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
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Sampson returned from a two-game absence with a hand injury in Week 17 against Pittsburgh and led the Browns with 11 carries for 27 yards and three catches for no yards on three targets. With Quinshon Judkins (ankle) out, Sampson should again be the best running back for Cleveland in a much better matchup at Cincinnati. In Week 1 against the Bengals, Sampson had 12 carries for 29 yards and eight catches for 64 yards on eight targets. His role in the passing game should improve in Week 18, and Sampson is worth using as at least a high-end flex in PPR.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Works as lead back
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Sampson rushed the ball 11 times for 27 yards in Sunday's 13-6 win over the Steelers. He added three receptions on three targets for zero yards.
Sampson was able to return from a two-game absence, and he immediately led Cleveland's backfield with 14 touches. That translated to limited production, as he was inefficient as both a rusher and receiver. However, Sampson will likely retain a significant role for a more favorable Week 18 matchup against the Bengals.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Ready to play Sunday
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Sampson (hand) is active for Sunday's game against the Steelers.
After sitting out the Browns' previous two games, Sampson took a questionable tag into Sunday following a trio of limited practices during Week 17 prep, but the rookie showed enough improvement to gain clearance for the penultimate game of the season. Sampson had typically handled a change-of-pace role over his previous 13 appearances, but the 21-year-old could be in store for his beefiest workload since Week 1 -- when he earned 20 touches (12 carries, eight receptions) -- after lead back Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) suffered a season-ending injury in Week 16. Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams should still be involved out of the backfield Sunday to some degree, but Sampson likely profiles as the top fantasy option of the trio thanks largely to his talents as a pass catcher.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Limited practice Wednesday
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Sampson (hand) was limited at practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Sampson, who last suited up in Week 14, didn't practice at all last week, so his return to practice -- albeit in a limited capacity -- bodes well for his chances of returning to the lineup Sunday against the Steelers. If Sampson is available this weekend, he'd have an opportunity to claim a key role in the Browns' Week 17 backfield, which will also include Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders, with Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) now on injured reserve.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Looks set to practice Wednesday
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Sampson (hand) is in line to practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
The Browns will release their first Week 17 practice report later Wednesday, when it will be known whether Sampson was a limited or full participant. Sampson was unable to practice in any fashion last week before sitting out this past Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Bills, but if the rookie running back is able to move past the hand injury this week, he could be primed to handle a lead role out of the Cleveland backfield. Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) underwent season-ending surgery and was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, leaving Sampson, Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders as the available backs on Cleveland's 53-man roster.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Another absence Friday
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Sampson (hand/calf) isn't practicing Friday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Sampson hasn't practiced all week, so he's likely to be ruled out for a second consecutive game when the Browns release their injury report later Friday. Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders will likely work as the depth options behind Quinshon Judkins against the Bills on Sunday.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Ruled out for Week 15
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Sampson (calf/hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bears, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Sampson will miss his first game of the season while managing a pair of injuries. His next chance to take the field will come Week 16 against the Bills. As long as Sampson is sidelined, Cleveland's main depth options behind top RB Quinshon Judkins will be Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Won't practice Thursday
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Sampson (calf/hand) is not in line to practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Sampson will miss back-to-back practices to begin Week 15, making his availability for Sunday's road matchup against the Bears look legitimately uncertain. Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams will be candidates to handle increased complementary roles behind starting running back Quinshon Judkins if Sampson is unable to play Sunday.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Week 15 Waiver Priority List
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Sampson has played two full games with Shedeur Sanders, and Sampson has scored at least 9.8 PPR points in both of those outings. In Week 14 against Tennessee, Sampson had two carries for 4 yards and five catches for 64 yards on six targets. He should continue to play in tandem with Quinshon Judkins, and Sampson will remain productive in the passing game since he also had two catches for 59 yards and a touchdown on three targets in Sanders' first start at Las Vegas. Sampson has favorable matchups ahead against the Bears in Week 15 and Buffalo in Week 16, and he's worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Stands out as receiver in loss
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Sampson rushed twice for four yards and secured five of six targets for 64 yards in the Browns' 31-29 loss to the Titans on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.
Sampson played through a hamstring concern and delivered a standout effort as a receiver, finishing as Shedeur Sanders' second-most-targeted pass catcher while posting the team's second-highest reception total. Sampson matched a career high in receiving yards in the process, and he's now contributed at least five receptions on three occasions during his rookie campaign. Sampson should continue in his change-of-pace role alongside Quinshon Judkins in a Week 15 road clash with the 49ers.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Ready to face Titans
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Sampson (calf) is active for Sunday's game against the Titans.
Sampson suffered a calf injury in Cleveland's Week 13 loss, and he didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. However, he managed to retake the field Friday and will now suit up to face the Titans. Sampson should be in line for a handful of carries and a couple of targets while working behind Quinshon Judkins.
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Browns' Dylan Sampson: Questionable for Sunday
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Sampson (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Titans, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Sampson exited in the second half of this past Sunday's loss to the 49ers due to a calf injury that left him day-to-day. After not practicing Wednesday and Thursday, he was spotted in drills at Friday's session, which was enough for the Browns to give him a chance to play Week 14. Assuming he's confirmed active ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Sampson will join Jerome Ford as the reserve RBs behind starter Quinshon Judkins.
