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
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Sampson was originally questionable to return, but has now been downgraded after injuring his calf. The rookie fourth-rounder had four carries for 23 yards before exiting, and the Browns will hope for positive news on Monday regarding the injury. Jerome Ford will slot in as the primary backup to Quinshon Judkins and should see more work on pass downs if Sampson misses time.
Nov 30, 2025 3:45 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers due to a calf injury. Sampson handled four carries for 23 yards before leaving the game. The rookie fourth-rounder broke out in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders with a 66-yard receiving touchdown, finishing with seven carries for 23 yards and two receptions (three targets) for 59 yards. Sampson has been operating as the No. 2 back behind Quinshon Judkins, but Jerome Ford will slide in as the primary backup with the rookie sidelined. More information should come out about the severity of Sampson's injury soon.
Nov 30, 2025 3:24 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson turned in one of his team's best plays in a Week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders when he hauled in a 66-yard touchdown pass from Shedeur Sanders in the fourth quarter. While he hasn't seen a consistent workload this season, Sampson has shown chops in the passing game, catching 23 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games. In Week 13, Sampson will look to stay hot at home against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have been solid against the run this season, allowing just the 19th-most fantasy points per game to running backs. While not a safe fantasy play, Sampson sets up as an RB5 with some flex appeal for Week 13's matchup.
Nov 28, 2025 9:24 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson had arguably the best game of his career in Week 12's win over the Las Vegas Raiders, handling seven carries for 23 yards with two receptions (three targets) for 59 yards and a touchdown. It was Sampson's second career touchdown; his first also came on a reception back in Week 2, and he posted his second-most yards from scrimmage in a game, trailing only his 93-yard performance in Week 1. The rookie fourth-rounder totaled 27 touches in the first two weeks, but his role in Cleveland's offense decreased after fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins returned to the team in Week 2. From Weeks 3 through 11, Sampson played just 18.7% of the snaps with 25 total touches. He was dynamic in Cleveland's Week 12 win, however, taking a simple screen pass from Shedeur Sanders 66 yards for a touchdown. Judkins is still the clear lead back, but Sampson's pass-catching ability could make him fantasy viable in deeper PPR leagues moving forward.
Nov 25, 2025 4:30 PM EST
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson recorded 81 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on nine touches in his team's 24-10 Week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The 21-year-old delivered one of the biggest plays of the game in the fourth quarter when he took a short completion from Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders and turned it into a 66-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Sampson has provided the majority of his production this season in the passing game. Across 11 games, he's recorded 23 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns on 27 targets. Fellow Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins remains the early-down rushing workhorse in Cleveland, limiting Sampson's upside. However, he's flashed upside as a pass-catching back that could keep him on deep-league radars down the stretch of the fantasy season. Cleveland will host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13.
Nov 23, 2025 9:48 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson will take on the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in Week 12. Sampson has been overshadowed by workhorse Quinshon Judkins as the former has seen more than four carries just once all season and has just one catch for three yards over his past two games. The Raiders set up as a reasonably tough matchup for Sampson and company as they are allowing just the 19th-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season. With Sampson unlikely to approach double-digit touches in Week 12, he sets up as a low-end RB5 who should not be in fantasy lineups heading into Week 12's clash with the Raiders.
Nov 21, 2025 6:08 PM EST
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson has shown some ability in the passing attack when given the chance this season, hauling in at least five passes twice this season. He will look to stay active through the air in a Week 11 home matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have struggled against running backs this season, allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, Sampson doesn't have a guaranteed workload behind fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins, who carried the ball 22 times in a loss to the New York Jets in Week 10. Fantasy managers counting on Sampson will have to hope he does his damage through the air against the Ravens, which is entirely possible if the Browns get down early and have to abandon the run. Sampson sets up as a low-end flex option in PPR leagues for this weekend.
Nov 14, 2025 4:51 PM EST
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