The Browns’ backfield is about to get much healthier. Judkins ($5,400, ankle) and Sampson ($5,200, knee) missed last Sunday’s win over the Ravens, but both players are back at practice Wednesday, and HC Todd Monken told the media he is optimistic that both Judkins and Sampson will play this Sunday vs. the Titans. Sampson will also need to be activated from IR before he can suit up Sunday.
With Judkins and Sampson both likely to play, how will these two backs split the carries this Sunday vs. the Titans?
Browns’ Backfield Outlook for Week 7
Sampson hurt his knee on a kick return early in Week 1 and hasn’t played since. The back hasn’t logged an offensive snap this season, and with him missing, Judkins has seen a large role when he has been active.
In the five games Judkins has played this season, he is averaging 14.6 carries per game on a 59.8% snap rate. Judkins is also running a route on 32% of his team’s dropbacks and commanding a target on an elite 34% of those routes.
The problem is, Judkins has struggled as a rusher, averaging just 3.0 YPC, which ranks 71st of the 80 backs who have seen 10+ carries this season. Sampson isn’t exactly an effective rusher himself, averaging just 2.7 YPC in his rookie campaign last season.
Sampson was used more as a receiver, and he was excellent in that area, averaging 2.01 YPPR, which finished second among all the backs who ran 20+ routes, trailing only Bijan Robinson.
So, while Sampson should see some carries in his return, he should primarily be used in the passing game, and Judkins should remain the Browns’ lead rusher vs. the Titans. Overall, a 60/40 carry split in favor of Judkins feels like a fair projection.
However, if Judkins continues to be lackluster on the ground, Sampson eating into his rushing workload in the coming weeks is a possibility.
