Who Should I Start? Ty Johnson or Dylan Sampson

Sunday, January 11, 11:37 AM

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's Wild-Card matchup against the hosting Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Johnson injured his ankle in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the New York Jets last Sunday and will not be available for the first round of the postseason. The 28-year-old wouldn't have been on the fantasy football radar as the RB3 if he was active, but his absence means that Ray Davis should see a bigger complementary role behind starter James Cook in a tough matchup against the Jaguars, a team that allowed the fewest rushing yards per game in 2025. The 28-year-old Johnson had 50 carries for 200 yards and three touchdowns while adding 24 catches for 263 yards and two more scores as a pass-catcher in 17 regular-season games for the Bills.

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.