Browns ink Jaleel McLaughlin to practice squad

McLaughlin operated as the Browns’ lead back with Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson both sidelined. The 26-year-old back saw six of his carries go for four or more yards, and he was the only Browns running back to see a target. If either Judkins or Sampson are able to return in Week 7 against the Titans, McLaughlin will likely return to his role as a lightly used backup. If Judkins were to miss another game, McLaughlin could be in line for double digit touches, but he would be a risky bet as far as fantasy is concerned.

Judkins suffered a potentially serious ankle injury in Week 5 and could miss Week 6 against the Ravens if he’s unable to practice in the next couple days. That could leave Jaleel McLaughlin as the Browns’ lead back against Baltimore. Dylan Sampson (knee) could also suit up if he’s able to practice after a four-week stint on IR.

Monken was spotted in a walking boot after Sunday’s loss to the Jets, but Monken said his RB1 will have a chance to play in Week 6 against the Ravens. Judkins rushed 14 times for 44 yards last week and has a rushing line of 73-221-1 for the season, along with 18 receptions for 102 additional yards. Judkins’ practice status will be one to monitor throughout the week. If he’s not able to play, Raheim Sanders would likely handle the early-down work, with Jaleel McLaughlin mixing in as well.

He gets the elevation after the Browns place Dylan Sampson on injured reserve. McLaughlin and Raheim Sanders will be behind Quinshon Judkins in Week 2. McLaughlin’s career shows him as a more reliable pure runner than Sanders, but we’re unsure of how the split behind Judkins will go from here.

McLaughlin could return to the Broncos as a practice squad player. The Broncos also waived DT Israel Antwine, CB Brent Austin, wide receiver Michael Bandy, LS Luke Basso, CB Sean Fresch, DB Ricardo Hallman, OT Reid Holskey, TE Justin Joly, WR Kolbe Katsis, WR Dane Key, WR Joseph Manjack, OLB Dasan McCullough, DT Jordan Miller, OT Tyler Miller, LB Red Murdock, OL Gavin Ortega, S Parker Robertson, WR Cameron Ross, WR Kyrese Rowan, RB Cody Schrader, S Miles Scott, OLB Ron Stone Jr., CB Reese Taylor, OLB Johnny Walker Jr., DT Kristian Williams and LB Taurean York. The Broncos waived LB Drew Sanders with an injury designation. The Broncos released LS Mitchell Fraboni, TE Lucas Krull, FB Adam Prentice, OT Foster Sarell, C Lecitus Smith and OG Calvin Throckmorton. The Broncos placed DT Frank Crum and TE Caleb Lohner on injured reserve with a designation to return, and OG Nick Gargiulo on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. Those three players must miss at least four games.

Badie probably has the edge given his versatility on special teams and third-down work. McLaughlin’s path to a roster spot “looks dicey” per Evans.

Weeks after opting not to tender an offer to McLaughlin, the 25-year-old back will return to the Broncos on a one-year deal with a chance to battle for a roster spot. McLaughlin will enter camp as the RB3 behind J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey, but his familiarity with Sean Payton’s offense should give him the inside edge on winning a camp battle. McLaughlin made the Broncos as a rookie UDFA in 2023 and has totaled 226-1,093-3 on the ground while adding another 59-263-4 through the air. He’s a solid depth piece but is unlikely to carry any immediate fantasy value in 2026.

It’ll make him a free agent. Entering his age-26 season, McLaughlin has averaged 4.8 yards per rush and caught 59-of-69 targets for 263 yards over three years in the league. McLaughlin is built like a third-down back and will likely resurface elsewhere to attempt to snag that role for a new team.

Dobbins is not yet ready to resume playing. He remained limited throughout all three practices this week after the Broncos opened his 21-day practice window on Monday. With Dobbins out, rookie RB RJ Harvey will again lead the backfield. He totaled 11 touches last week. Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin handled four and RB Tyler Badie had one.

McLaughlin appeared to be the choice to attack the Bills’ weakness on the outside of their run defense. He gained over five yards per carry, but Sean Payton went away from him almost entirely in the second half. It remains to be seen how Payton will split the carries between McLaughlin and RJ Harvey next week, but McLaughlin appeared to be the more dynamic runner tonight.