Who Should I Start? Devin Neal or Dylan Sampson

Thursday, December 18, 5:00 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (hamstring) has been placed on Injured Reserve, ending his 2025 season. Neal suffered a hamstring injury during New Orleans' Week 15 win over the Carolina Panthers. With Saints backs Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) and Kendre Miller (knee) sidelined, Neal has served as his team's RB1 since Week 13. The 22-year-old played well across his two fully healthy starts, recording 153 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 37 touches. With Kamara's return timeline uncertain and Neal and Miller both done for the season, the Saints appear likely to turn to the combination of Audric Estime and Evan Hull for backfield snaps down the stretch of the season. Estime was the more productive of the two backs in Week 15, recording 50 scrimmage yards on six touches. New Orleans will host the New York Jets in Week 16 before traveling to Tennessee to take on the Titans in Week 17.

Monday, December 29, 10:30 PM

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.