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.

Saturday, January 3, 12:12 PM

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.