Dylan Sampson Injury News & Updates

Sampson had one carry for 19 yards, failed to catch his lone target and returned two kickoffs for 48 yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Ravens in Week 11.

Sampson had fewer snaps (six) than fellow backup Jerome Ford (13, one touch), but there's nothing to glean from that. The recent trend indicates Sampson is the No. 2 back in terms of touches. Regardless, both he and Ford sit well behind Quinshon Judkins, who is the dominant presence in the backfield.

Sampson had two carries for minus-4 yards and caught his lone target for three yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Jets in Week 10. He also had four kickoff returns for 104 yards.

The Browns' backfield clearly belongs to Quinshon Judkins, while Sampson has emerged as the No. 2 back ahead of veteran Jerome Ford. For the second consecutive game, Sampson was given more opportunities (22 snaps, three touches, three targets) than Ford (14, one, one). Cleveland has accepted its fate and is looking toward the future, which means a focus on the youth for the remainder of a season. And should Judkins get injured or the coaches opt to protect the club's best asset, Sampson could earn more than just the four-to-five touches per game he's averaged since Judkins was added to the active roster in Week 2.

Sampson gained zero rushing yards on three carries and caught five of six targets for 29 yards in Sunday's 32-13 loss to the Patriots.

The eight touches were Sampson's biggest volume since Week 1, before fellow rookie RB Quinshon Judkins had made his NFL debut. Sunday's increase also came in part due to the absence of Judkins, who left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Sampson's biggest contributions so far have come as a receiver, and through eight games he's managed just 51 rushing yards and 1.8 yards per carry, but a 20-133-1 line on 23 targets. The Browns are on bye in Week 9, so Judkins may not miss any further time, but if he isn't ready to return, Sampson could be the lead back -- with Jerome Ford in support -- in Week 10 against the Jets.

Sampson had three carries for eight yards, caught his lone target for nine yards and returned two kickoffs for 37 yards in Sunday's 31-6 win over Miami in Week 7.

Sampson was on the field for just nine snaps, but he out-touched veteran Jerome Ford, who had three touches on 13 snaps. The game was more evidence that the rookie is being prepped to take over as the third-down back with return duties, the exact role Ford fills on this year's version of the Browns. The trade deadline is two weeks away, and Sampson could be all alone behind starter Quinshon Judkins, if Cleveland trades Ford, who is in the final year of a contract. That may not translate into meaningful fantasy value for Sampson, but it would put him on the field more often for an offense that typically plays from behind and needs a reliable third-down back.

Sampson rushed three times for 12 yards, caught both targets for 12 yards and returned five kickoffs for 124 yards in Sunday's 23-9 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 6.

Sampson had his most usage since Week 1, including a turn as the primary kickoff returner. Once Quinshon Judkins was established as the lead back, Sampson's usage fell off a cliff. He had just four touches over the last three weeks, while getting single-digit snaps in all three contests.

Sampson had one carry for minus-4 yards and caught one of two targets for six yards in Sunday's 21-17 loss to Minnesota in Week 5.

Not much changed for Sampson with the switch from quarterback Joe Flacco to Dillon Gabriel. His seven snaps Sunday was the third consecutive game with fewer than 10 for the rookie, whose role has diminished since Quinshon Judkins entered the picture in Week 2.

Sampson had one carry for minus-2 yards and did not secure his lone target in Sundays 34-10 loss to Detroit in Week 4.

The Browns' backfield is securely in the hands of Quinshon Judkins, who has steadily increased his dominance since being activated in Week 2. Sampson has a combined 14 snaps and one target over the last two games.

Sampson had one carry for two yards in Sunday's 13-10 win over the Packers in Week 3.

Sampson was on the field for just five offensive snaps and went untargeted for the first time in three weeks. He had eight targets in Week 1 followed by a touchdown catch last week, but it looks like Jerome Ford has emerged as the primary target out of the backfield. In addition to the diminished targets, Sampson's overall usage has taken a hit, dropping from 33 snaps in Week 1 to 17 in Week 2 and now five. That drop coincides with the availability of Quinshon Judkins.

Sampson rushed four times for six yards and brought in all three targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in the Browns' 41-17 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.

Sampson had led the Browns' ground attack with 12 carries and had garnered 20 total touches in Week 1, but the debut of fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins in Sunday's loss altered the backfield hierarchy. Judkins ultimately recorded a game-high 10 rush attempts, but Sampson still found a way to make an impact by recording an eight-yard touchdown reception from another member of the team's 2025 draft class, Dillon Gabriel. With Judkins' workload a virtual lock to only go up from this point forward, Sampson will likely be looking to displace veteran Jerome Ford for the No. 2 role.

Sampson rushed the ball 12 times for 29 yards in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Bengals. He added eight receptions on eight targets for 64 yards.

Sampson was expected to serve as the change-of-pace back in Cleveland, but he took the first carry for the Browns and out-touched Jerome Ford 20-7. Sampson wasn't particularly impressive on the ground, but he was still more efficient than Ford. He ultimately made his mark as a pass catcher, however, as he led the Browns in receptions (eight) and was second in yards (64). While it was an encouraging debut for Sampson, the backfield is likely to grow more crowded with the addition of Quinshon Judkins in Week 2 against Baltimore.

Sampson is expected to handle a change-of-pace role Week 1 against the Bengals on Sunday, while Jerome Ford leads Cleveland's backfield, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.

Sampson, a rookie fourth-round pick, has been heavily involved alongside Ford throughout the preseason with 2025 second-rounder Quinshon Judkins still unsigned, but he's expected to be relegated to complimentary change-of-pace utilization in his regular-season debut. There's a significant possibility that Sampson's involvement grows as his experience at the NFL level does, especially if he's able to impress early, though Cabot also reports that the Browns hope Judkins will report to team facilities this week. Cleveland also claimed UDFA Raheim Sanders off waivers from the Chargers, who boasts a larger frame than Ford or Sampson and could carve out a role in short-yardage situations.

Sampson carried the ball twice for three yards and caught his only target for 14 yards in Saturday's 19-17 preseason win over the Rams.

The 2025 fourth-round pick got the first carry of the afternoon for the Browns, and Sampson split the backfield workload with Jerome Ford over the first two drives before exiting the game. That figures to be the arrangement to begin the regular season, but how snaps are actually divided between the two, and in what situations, remains to be seen. Quinshon Judkins, a second-round pick in 2025 who has yet to sign a contract with Cleveland due to off-field issues, remains a wild card but could be added to the backfield later in the year.

Sampson was the first running back through the rotation both Wednesday and Thursday during joint practices with the Eagles, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Sampson started Cleveland's preseason opener and took two carries for six yards, although it didn't mean much with most of the key veterans -- including RB Jerome Ford -- being held out. The first-team reps in practice are a better sign, especially with no report of Ford being injured, potentially hinting at a rotation between the two RBs early in the season. Fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned -- and uncertain to play this season -- after a July arrest for domestic violence charges.

Sampson gained six rushing yards on two carries and failed to haul in his only target in Friday's 30-10 preseason win over the Panthers.

The 2025 fourth-round pick got the start in the Browns' exhibition opener with Jerome Ford being held out along with the other starters, and fellow rookie running back Quinshon Judkins still unsigned and away from the team due to off-field issues. Sampson didn't do much, but he was only on the field for Cleveland's first two drives before checking out of the contest. The limited snaps suggest that coach Kevin Stefanski may already be comfortable with Sampson's role in the offense and doesn't need the Tennessee product to prove himself, or risk injury, during the preseason. With Ford having flopped last season when he got a chance to establish himself as the team's starting RB, and Judkins' status still murky for Week 1, the door could be opening for Sampson to handle a significant role right out of the gate when the regular season begins.

Browns running backs coach Duce Staley said at mandatory minicamp mid-June that Sampson has gotten work "as a running back and a receiver," Dan Labbe of cleveland.com reports.

Staley also said that Sampson has worked with wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea, and that the rookie fourth-round pick "is able to go play in the slot and also he's able to go and play on third down and maybe sprinkle in a little second down." The running backs coach also noted that fellow rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, whom the Browns drafted two rounds ahead of Sampson, will be "able to do a little something [...] at receiver too." Meanwhile, incumbent Jerome Ford has already demonstrated tangible pass-catching chops, and Staley praised his "speed" and ability to "pick up the blitz and catch the ball." While all three of Cleveland's top running backs could see tangible usage in the passing game, Lebbe hypothesizes that as things currently stand, Judkins and Sampson project to lead the Browns' revamped backfield, with Ford serving as the No. 3 back. Sampson didn't catch many passes in college at Tennessee, including as the team's starter in 2024, so it would come as a surprise if he in fact beats out Ford for pa

The Browns selected Sampson in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 126th overall.

The Browns had a significant hole at running back entering the draft, and they've invested accordingly. Sampson will join Quinshon Judkins -- selected in the second round -- as rookies on the running back depth chart. The former showcased mediocre athletic ability at the combine, but Sampson was an excellent contributor at Tennessee by tallying 1,491 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns across 13 games in 2024 while facing stiff SEC competition. Both scouting reports and draft capital suggest Sampson will start behind Judkins on the depth chart, but Sampson should have the chance to find the field in his rookie season.