Who Should I Start? MarShawn Lloyd or Dylan Sampson

Friday, December 5, 5:12 PM

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (calf) has been ruled out and will not come off Injured Reserve to play on Sunday at Lambeau Field against the division-rival Chicago Bears in Week 14, according to the team. Lloyd finally returned to practice for the first time earlier this week, but he's not ready to play in games just yet. The 24-year-old former third-round pick in 2024 out of USC hasn't played at all this season and managed to suit up in just one game in his rookie campaign last year due to injuries. He has reportedly put in plenty of time and effort to get his body right so that he can hopefully put his injuries in the rearview mirror for good. The Packers had high hopes for Lloyd when they drafted him, but he just hasn't been able to stay on the field. It's unclear how much more time he'll need, but when he is activated from IR, he'll merely be vying for a backup role alongside Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks behind starter Josh Jacobs.

Tuesday, December 9, 5:00 PM

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.