Sampson suffered the knee injury in the season-opening defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 13 and was placed on injured reserve two days later. He began a practice window this week and logged limited sessions on Thursday and Friday.
A fourth-round pick out of Tennessee in 2025, Sampson posted 175 rushing yards on 65 carries as a rookie and added 271 receiving yards on 33 receptions with two touchdowns in 15 games. His receiving ability could give the offense another way to move the ball and relieve some pressure on Quinshon Judkins. Sampson also contributed on special teams, returning two kickoffs for 64 yards in the opener before his injury. His absence removes a versatile option in both running and special-teams roles.
Judkins returned to practice after missing time with an ankle injury sustained in the previous game, though his status remains uncertain for the upcoming matchup. He participated as a limited participant and is considered questionable. The Browns also listed several other players with injury concerns, including defensive tackle Mason Graham (knee/ankle), linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle), and defensive end Derek Barnett (ankle).
Judkins remains the Browns’ lead back, but his production has not yet matched the workload. Through five games, he has 221 rushing yards on 73 carries (3.0 yards per attempt) with one touchdown, and his longest carry has been 14 yards.
With Sampson out, Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin are the healthy depth options behind Judkins. Estime was signed off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad after Raheim Sanders was placed on injured reserve due to a hip injury suffered against the Jets. Estime, a 227-pound former fifth-round pick, brings 508 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 122 career carries, having spent time with both Denver and New Orleans prior to joining Cleveland. McLaughlin, who also had a limited role earlier this season, has two carries for 31 yards this year, including a 28-yard score against the Steelers, and did not carry the ball against the Jets. If Judkins cannot carry a heavy workload, Estime and McLaughlin could assume more prominent roles in the game plan.
This backfield situation underscores the need for Cleveland to establish a stronger run game at the line of scrimmage to control the clock and take pressure off the passing game.
