Raheim Sanders

Raheim Sanders News

Raheim Sanders A Risky Play in Week 2

Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders will serve as the backup to Quinshon Judkins in Week 2 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but should not enter the discussion for fantasy lineups yet. The Browns have a tough matchup with the Bucs and Judkins is the only running back worth a starting look for fantasy purposes. Sanders has entered the conversation with the injury to Dylan Sampson but has not yet shown enough to be relied upon. He had one carry for one yard in Week 1's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sanders is in his second year after playing in college at South Carolina. He's a big back at 6-foot-0 and 230 pounds so look for him as a bit of a change of pace from Judkins. However he still has a lot of work to do to establish himself as a valuable backup running back for the Browns and someone who can be counted on for fantasy teams.

Sep 19, 2026 7:32 AM EST

Raheim Sanders to Take on Bigger Role

Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders will have the opportunity to see an expanded role in the offense, according to Scott Petrak of BrownsZone. Sanders will move up the depth chart to the No. 2 role with Dylan Sampson (knee) going down in the season opener. The Browns placed Sampson on the Injured Reserve, so he'll be forced to miss at least the next four games. Sanders rushed the ball once and hauled in three receptions for 25 yards during the season opener. He could emerge as an interesting handcuff for fantasy managers going forward. He could offer some value in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that allowed over 100 rushing yards last week.

Sep 16, 2026 6:00 PM EST

Raheim Sanders Emerging as a Handcuff Option Amid Backfield Injury

Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders began the 2026 season as his team's RB3 behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson (knee). However, Sampson suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of Cleveland's Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and is now set to miss at least four games after being placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. As a result, Sanders now looks to be the Browns' primary backup running back. If Judkins were to also go down with an injury, Sanders would immediately become fantasy relevant. The 24-year-old may have some deep-league standalone appeal even if Judkins stays healthy, as he recorded three catches for 25 yards on three targets after replacing Sampson against Jacksonville. As a handcuff running back option with some pass-catching upside, Sanders could be a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.

Sep 15, 2026 12:27 PM EST

Ahmani Marshall and Raheim Sanders Competing for No. 3 Running Back Spot

Cleveland Browns running backs Ahmani Marshall and Raheim Sanders are competing for the No. 3 role, head coach Todd Monken told Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram. Marshall is an Appalachian State product who spent his rookie season in 2025 on the Browns' practice squad. He didn't get an offensive touch last year, but the Browns are encouraged by his development. Even though he rushed for just four yards on six carries during the Browns' preseason loss on Saturday, he contributed as a receiver with four targets, three catches, and 19 receiving yards. Sanders was also a rookie last year, but he got more game reps with 27 carries, three catches, 113 scrimmage yards, and a touchdown. The 24-year-old South Carolina product had two carries for nine yards in the preseason opener, and he also caught two passes for an additional seven receiving yards. Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson are the clear top two running backs in Cleveland, and it doesn't sound like the Browns want to carry more than three players at the position, so the position battle between Marshall and Sanders will be quite important. Presumably, both backs will have more opportunities to win the roster battle throughout the next two weeks of the preseason.

Aug 16, 2026 12:36 PM EST

Raheim Sanders Limited By Backfield Committee in Cleveland

Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders has seen an increased role in recent weeks after Browns RB1 Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) suffered season-ending lower leg injuries in Week 16. After Judkins went down, Sanders recorded 11 carries for 42 yards and looked like the team's lead back for the remainder of Week 16. However, Browns running back Dylan Sampson returned from calf and hand injuries in Week 17, cutting Sanders' usage. In Week 17, Sanders racked up just 21 yards rushing on eight carries. With Sampson functioning as Cleveland's primary receiving back and Trayveon Williams soaking up backfield work as well, the Browns appear to be operating with a full-on backfield committee. Even in a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cleveland's regular-season finale on Sunday, Sanders carries limited upside. Fantasy managers are safe to avoid Sanders in Week 18.

Jan 2, 2026 10:34 AM EST

Raheim Sanders Worth a Look on Week 18 Waiver Wires

Cleveland Browns undrafted rookie running back Raheim Sanders was a popular waiver wire add in Week 17, with Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) lost for the year and Dylan Sampson's status uncertain heading into a divisional matchup with the Steelers. Sampson was eventually cleared to play despite his hand injury, and neither rookie was able to do much in a 13-6 win. Approaching a Week 18 matchup with the Bengals with no playoff implications, we've reached the point in the year where many teams opt to see what they've got in some of their unproven rookies. Unfortunately, Sampson also fits into this category, so another frustrating split is entirely possible. However, if either back is given the majority of the work, Cincinnati has been the most generous defense to opposing running backs all season long, providing an opportunity for one final RB1 performance.

Dec 30, 2025 2:24 PM EST

Raheim Sanders to Lead Browns Backfield in Week 17?

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Raheim Sanders had 11 carries for 42 yards in the 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 16. Sanders saw a role due to the season-ending leg injury to Quinshon Judkins. With Jerome Ford (shoulder) done for the season and Dylan Sampson (calf) unable to play in Week 16, Sanders led the team in carries. After Judkins went out, both Sanders and veteran Trayveon Williams split the backfield snaps (30%-30%). The Browns also face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, who shut down Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery last week. The injury status of Sampson will determine "Rocket's" fantasy value this week, but fantasy managers should be cautious about trusting this backfield in Week 17.

Dec 24, 2025 10:24 AM EST

Raheim Sanders Ascending Backfield Pecking Order

Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders projects to garner a considerable workload over the season's remaining few weeks after teammate Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) went down with a severe injury in Week 16. Judkins suffered a gruesome lower-leg injury during Sunday's 23-20 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills. In his stead, Sanders and backfield mate Trayveon Williams split snaps dead evenly (20-20), with the former handily out-touching the latter 11-3 on the ground. However, Williams was the preferred option in the receiving game, boasting four targets (4/38) to Sanders' one. That said, Dylan Sampson (hand) figures to occupy the receiving role once healthy, and it's likely he'd pick up a few more carries than Williams did working in his stead. Sanders may not see as many opportunities on the ground as Judkins has, but he's trending up in a Cleveland offense that's moved the ball much better with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders under center.

Dec 22, 2025 11:45 AM EST

Browns Claim Raheim Sanders From Chargers

The Cleveland Browns have claimed running back Raheim Sanders off waivers from the Los Angeles Chargers. The 23-year-old went undrafted out of South Carolina earlier this offseason. He was productive during the preseason, totaling 28 carries for 101 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Although he looked solid this summer, it wasn't enough for him to earn a roster spot over Najee Harris, Omarion Hampton, or Hassan Haskins. He has a much more reasonable path to playing time with the Browns, who remain in a contract stalemate with rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. Sanders immediately slots in third on the Browns' depth chart behind Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson. He should be avoided in most redraft leagues, but he might be worth stashing in the deepest dynasty leagues given that he could see some opportunities out of the backfield this year.

Aug 28, 2025 12:11 AM EST

Raheim Sanders Leads Chargers In Rushing

Running back Raheim Sanders ran 13 times for 48 yards to lead the Los Angeles Chargers in rushing on Saturday against San Francisco. The undrafted rookie had a decent showing in the preseason finale, but still has an uphill climb to make the Chargers' final roster. The Chargers traded for Najee Harris and drafted Omarion Hampton to add to a roster that already features Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins. Sanders is likely still on the outside looking in when cutdown day arrives.

Aug 24, 2025 10:57 AM EST

Raheim Sanders Leads Backfield in Preseason Win

Los Angeles Chargers undrafted rookie running back Raheim Sanders led the backfield in the team's 27-13 preseason win against the New Orleans Saints. He had 10 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 11 yards. The 23-year-old made a strong case for the third backup role in an already crowded backfield with Kimani Vidal, Hassan Haskins, and Nyheim Hines. Sanders, who transferred to South Carolina from Arkansas in his senior year, finished his college career with 881 yards on 183 carries and 11 touchdowns on the ground, plus 27 catches for 316 yards and two touchdowns. With Najee Harris' (eye) Week 1 availability uncertain, the rookie will have to continue to prove himself to secure a spot on the final roster.

Aug 10, 2025 9:20 PM EST