Who Should I Start? Dylan Sampson or Jayden Higgins

Wednesday, December 24, 11:36 AM

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.

Friday, December 26, 8:57 AM

Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins has made good progress throughout his rookie season, climbing the depth chart and locking in as the team's top option across the field from Nico Collins. However, he only has one catch in each of his last two games, so he'll be a long-shot play this week, when his team takes on the Chargers in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. Higgins has scored four touchdowns this season and hauled in 37 catches for 414 yards. He is only the WR 56 in RotoBaller's rankings for this week, though, so his recent quiet games have dropped him out of consideration as a flex play in standard-sized leagues.