Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson returned from calf and hand injuries that sidelined him for two games in Week 17 and recorded 27 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) on Injured Reserve, Sampson should have a chance to lead his team's backfield once again in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has been one of the NFL's worst rush defenses in 2025, ranking 30th in the league in yards per carry allowed (5.2) and 32nd in runs of 20 or more yards allowed (19). Sampson will likely split touches with Browns backs Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams in Week 18, which limits his ceiling. However, Sampson has recorded 10 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets across his last four games, which provides a relatively safe PPR floor. Fantasy managers should view Sampson as a low-end flex option in Week 18 against Cincinnati.
Jan 3, 2026 12:12 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson returned in Week 17 after a two-game absence due to calf and hand injuries, recording 27 scrimmage yards on 14 touches against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite his inefficient day against the Steelers, Sampson could be in line for a more productive Week 18 in an easier matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. With Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle, leg) suffering a season-ending injury in Week 16, Cleveland split backfield touches in Week 17 between Sampson, Raheim Sanders, and Trayevon Williams. Sanders led Browns running backs in snap share, but Sampson earned more touches (14) than Sanders and Williams combined (11). If Sampson remains the leader of the Cleveland backfield committee in Week 18, he should post better results. Fantasy managers in leagues with 12 or more teams should consider targeting Sampson on the waiver wire heading into the final week of the regular season.
Dec 29, 2025 10:30 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (hand) is officially active for Cleveland on Sunday as they take on the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. Sampson missed two practices this week due to his hand injury, but he was able to return on Friday and is now ready to take over as the team's top RB with fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins (leg) done for the season after suffering a gruesome injury in last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills. Behind the 21-year-old will be Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders vying for touches in the Browns' backfield. Sampson hasn't been very efficient as a runner in his first NFL season, as he's averaging only 2.6 yards per carry on 44 rushing attempts in his 13 games played. He's been more prolific as a pass-catcher, taking 28 catches for 259 yards and two touchdowns. But for the added volume alone this Sunday, he has upside as an RB3/flex in fantasy in deeper leagues.
Dec 28, 2025 11:45 AM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (hand) will carry a questionable designation into Sunday's Week 17 matchup with the Steelers as he continues to work back from the hand injury that has kept him out of the last two games. With fellow first-year back Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) done for the year after undergoing surgery following a brutal Week 16 injury, the Browns' running back depth chart has been one to monitor heading into fantasy title games. It was undrafted rookie Raheim Sanders who saw the bulk of the carries following Judkins' injury. He finished the day with 12 touches for 46 yards, while veteran Trayveon Williams was also mixed in to the tune of seven opportunities. If Sampson is able to suit up against the Steelers, he will likely be given starter's reps, but things could quickly devolve into a committee approach. Should Sampson miss another game, Sanders at least carries desperation flex appeal into an otherwise unfavorable matchup.
Dec 26, 2025 2:24 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (hand) is expected to return to practice on Wednesday, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Sampson has missed each of Cleveland's last two games due to calf and hand injuries. The 21-year-old has mostly been used in a part-time role as a receiver out of the backfield so far in 2025. However, with Browns RB1 Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) suffering a season-ending injury in Week 16, Sampson has an opportunity to take over as the team's lead back. Across 13 games this season, Sampson has racked up 375 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 72 touches. The Browns also have Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams as backfield options who can help fill in for Judkins. If active, Sampson could be a solid flex option for fantasy managers in his Week 17 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dec 24, 2025 11:36 AM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (hand) is in line to see more volume upon his return, following the injury to teammate Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills. Sampson is dealing with injuries of his own, but according to Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski, he reported on Tuesday that Sampson is improving by the day. Sampson has not played since Week 14, and when healthy, was still involved in the offense primarily as a receiver in passing situations. Still, with Judkins placed on the Injured Reserve, Sampson could earn the RB1 carries and should provide RB3 fantasy value in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who, although they have been better against opposing running backs of late, would still be on the fantasy radar and a decent option in Week 17 for fantasy managers. At this time, it's unclear how involved Trayveon Williams or Raheim Sanders would be; however, Sampson has been the only running back involved since the start of the season, giving him the upper hand should he be active.
Dec 24, 2025 9:23 AM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (hand) is poised to handle a starting role moving forward following the injury to teammate Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Sampson has been inactive over the past two weeks due to calf and hand issues -- the latter of which kept him out of Week 16's matchup. With Judkins out for the remainder of the season, the 21-year-old will slide into Cleveland's RB1 role when back to full strength. Sampson has proven more than capable of occupying a sort of scatback role. However, it's worth noting that it's unclear whether he'd operate as a workhorse or split early-down touches with teammates Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders. As it stands, Sampson should at least get the bulk of the backfield work, and slots in as an intriguing low-end RB2/high-end flex play for the remainder of the season. That is, so long as he gets over his ailing hand.
Dec 22, 2025 11:12 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf, hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the visiting Buffalo Bills in Week 16, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot. Sampson was unable to practice all week and will miss his second straight game due to a pair of injuries. It's unclear if the 21-year-old will be ready to play in Week 17 against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. With Sampson out again, expect Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders to battle for backfield scraps behind rookie starter Quinshon Judkins. Sampson has really only been valuable in fantasy for the Week 1 regular season opener when Judkins was out. In the 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Sampson had a season-high 12 carries for 29 yards and caught all eight of his targets for 64 yards. Since then, he's had only two games with more than three rushing attempts.
Dec 19, 2025 1:21 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf, hand) is missing from the practice field again on Thursday, per Browns Zone's Scott Petrak. Unless Sampson can get back on the practice field in some capacity on Friday, he appears headed toward a second straight absence this Sunday versus the Buffalo Bills. Jerome Ford (shoulder) is on Injured Reserve and out for the rest of the season, so if Sampson sits again in Week 16, Trayveon Williams would once again serve as Cleveland's RB2 behind rookie Quinshon Judkins. Williams played 33% of the offensive snaps in last week's blowout loss to the Chicago Bears in his first game with the Browns this year and had only one rushing attempt for three yards while catching both of his targets for four yards. If Sampson can't play against Buffalo, his next chance to take the field will come in Week 17 against the division-rival Steelers.
Dec 18, 2025 12:59 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (hand) is not expected to practice on Wednesday, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Sampson missed his team's Week 15 loss to the Chicago Bears due to both calf and hand injuries, but it appears it's the hand that's now giving him more problems. Across 13 games this season, the 21-year-old has recorded 375 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 72 touches. He's emerged as the primary receiving back in Cleveland, with fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins handling the lion's share of early-down work. With Sampson sidelined in Week 15, Trayveon Williams was utilized as Cleveland's RB2, recording seven yards from scrimmage on three touches. If Sampson remains sidelined for the Browns' Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Judkins could see a significant workload as both a rusher and receiver.
Dec 17, 2025 11:17 AM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (calf, hand) has been ruled out for his team's Week 15 matchup against the Chicago Bears due to calf and hand injuries. The 21-year-old has done most of his work this season in a passing-downs role alongside fellow Browns rookie back Quinshon Judkins. In Cleveland's Week 14 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Sampson hauled in five catches for 64 yards on six targets. With Sampson sidelined in Week 15 and veteran back Jerome Ford (shoulder) on Injured Reserve, the Browns will likely turn to Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams to fill the team's RB2 role. Judkins has seen more work as a receiver in recent weeks and could step into more of a true three-down role in Week 15 against Chicago.
Dec 12, 2025 1:36 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf, hand) is missing from practice on Thursday for a second straight day this week, according to ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. The Browns placed RB Jerome Ford (shoulder) on season-ending Injured Reserve this week, so Cleveland's backfield could be thin behind rookie starter Quinshon Judkins on Sunday against the Chicago Bears if Sampson is unable to play. Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams would likely split backup duties behind Judkins if Sampson cannot go. Sampson, a fourth-round pick out of Tennessee, had five catches on six targets for a season-high 64 receiving yards in Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, and he will have a bigger role in the Browns' backfield the rest of the year if he's healthy. He's worth stashing in PPR leagues despite his status being up in the air for Week 15.
Dec 11, 2025 1:37 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf, hand) is not expected to take the practice field on Wednesday, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Sampson is dealing with two injuries as the team prepares for a Week 15 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The 21-year-old had a season-high five catches on six targets for 64 yards in the team's loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and with Jerome Ford (shoulder) now on Injured Reserve, Sampson is going to have a larger change-of-pace role behind rookie starter Quinshon Judkins the rest of the way. Sampson might be questionable to play this weekend, but Ford's injury makes him a waiver-wire consideration this week, at least as a bench stash for the fantasy playoffs in PPR leagues. The fourth-rounder has averaged only 2.6 yards on the ground on 44 rushing attempts in his first 13 NFL games, but he's added 28 catches for 259 yards and two scores through the air.
Dec 10, 2025 12:20 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson is expected to see an uptick in opportunities after Jerome Ford (shoulder) was placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. Sampson has been playing ahead of Ford since Cleveland's Week 9 bye anyway, but the backfield touches should consolidate between Sampson and fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins the rest of the way. The rookie fourth-rounder has been more involved in the offense over the past three weeks, especially as a receiver. He's handled 13 carries for 50 yards while adding seven receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. All three of those receiving marks are in the top three among Browns skill position players during that time. Sampson could be a useful player over the final stretch of the regular season in PPR leagues and is worth consideration off the waiver wire this week in 12-team leagues for RB depth.
Dec 9, 2025 5:00 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (calf) is officially active for Sunday's Week 14 contest against the Tennessee Titans. He had been listed as questionable after upgrading to a limited participant in practice on Friday. Sampson has consistently operated as the Browns' No. 2 running back behind fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins, but he has started to carve out more of a role for himself lately. He had 82 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown in Shedeur Sanders' first career start two weeks ago, and he added 5.8 yards per carry on four rushing attempts last Sunday. Judkins plays too much to justify starting Sampson in fantasy lineups, but the Tennessee product is still a solid handcuff worth stashing in all dynasty formats, as well as redraft leagues with at least 12 teams.
Dec 7, 2025 11:36 AM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf) is questionable to play in his team's Week 14 matchup against the Tennessee Titans due to a calf injury. Sampson missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was able to return to the practice field on Friday. The 21-year-old has done most of his work this season as a receiver while working as the RB2 in Cleveland behind fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins. In his final full game before getting injured back in Week 12, Sampson recorded two catches for 59 yards and a touchdown on three targets against the Las Vegas Raiders. His matchup against the Titans in Week 14 is favorable on paper, as Tennessee currently ranks 26th among NFL defenses in yards per carry allowed (4.6). However, Sampson's injury and workload uncertainty should lead to him being off fantasy radars in Week 14.
Dec 6, 2025 12:50 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns have listed rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf) as questionable to play this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Sampson didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but a return to the practice field on Friday gives him a chance of suiting up this weekend. The 21-year-old injured his calf in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers and never returned. If the first-round RB isn't cleared to face the Titans this Sunday, Jerome Ford would see more playing time as the backup to rookie Quinshon Judkins in a favorable matchup. Still, with Judkins seeing the majority of backfield work for the Browns, Ford wouldn't be expected to have enough volume to make him a realistic flex play in 12-team fantasy leagues. Sampson has averaged just 2.7 yards per carry in his first 12 NFL games, running for 112 yards and no TDs on 42 rushing attempts.
Dec 5, 2025 1:44 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (calf) missed practice for the second straight day on Thursday due to a calf issue, per Scott Petrak of BrownsZone. Sampson suffered the calf injury during Cleveland's Week 13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. While the 21-year-old is reportedly considered day-to-day, his inability to practice could indicate that he's trending towards being inactive for the Browns' Week 14 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Sampson has largely served as the RB2 in Cleveland this season behind Quinshon Judkins, recording 307 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 65 touches across 12 games this season. If Sampson is inactive in Week 14, Browns running backs Jerome Ford and Raheim Sanders will likely see an increase in playing time.
Dec 4, 2025 4:11 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf) was a non-participant during Wednesday's practice session. Sampson is currently considered day-to-day after suffering a calf injury during Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The rookie back has rushed for 46 yards on 11 carries over his last two games. He did haul in a touchdown as a receiver over that span, but Sampson has mainly been a non-factor in fantasy football, with fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins seeing most of the backfield work. His absence in Week 14 would mean increased playing time for Jerome Ford and possibly Raheim Sanders. Judkins is the only fantasy-relevant back in Cleveland at the moment.
Dec 3, 2025 9:23 PM EST
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf) is being considered day-to-day after suffering a calf injury in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Sampson was injured in the third quarter of the 26-8 loss and never returned, giving way for Jerome Ford to see more work as the RB2 behind rookie starter Quinshon Judkins. Before leaving, the 21-year-old had four carries for 23 yards on the ground. It sounds like Sampson will have a chance to play in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans, but it will depend on how much he's able to do in practice this week. Sampson doesn't have any standalone fantasy value while working behind Judkins in Cleveland's backfield, but he's a viable handcuff in deeper leagues. The Tennessee product has averaged just 2.7 yards per carry on 42 rushing attempts in his first 12 NFL games and has yet to score a rushing touchdown in 2025.
Dec 1, 2025 1:45 PM EST
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