Trayveon

Williams

We still don’t know the specifics of Sampson’s hand injury that sidelined him for Weeks 15 and 16, but the rookie running back practiced every day this week and has a good chance of seeing a lead role for the Browns if he’s active. Sampson served as the Browns’ RB1 all the way back in Week 1, and wound up catching eight passes for 64 yards while adding another 12-29-0 on the ground. Sampson would have some appeal as an RB3/FLEX option if he’s available for this week’s fantasy championships. If Sampson is able to go, Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams would likely split backfield duties.

He didn’t practice all week after having the “hand” listing added to his injury on Wednesday. Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams will back up Quinshon Judkins in Week 15, with neither player approaching the FLEX conversation at this point.

Williams spent August with the Browns and was released in September. He eventually made his way onto the Chargers’ practice squad in the middle of the season after Omarion Hampton’s injury and appeared in three games, totaling three carries for a loss of one yard. The Browns just put Jerome Ford on injured reserve and now add Williams to help fill Ford’s role.

It sounds like a hedge against Hassan Haskins missing Week 8. Nyheim Hines is the on-roster backup to Kimani Vidal, though Hines is more of a pass-catching back. It’s possible Williams is active against the Vikings, though we couldn’t confidently predict a real role for him at this point.

Strange picked a great landing spot after getting released yesterday, as the Browns have almost zero starting linemen with guaranteed contracts for 2026. Corley will look to develop his skills and could perhaps challenge for an end-of-roster spot later in the season. The Browns also added QB Bailey Zappe, TE Brendan Bates, TE Sal Cannella, WR Kaden Davis, S Christopher Edmonds, DT Ralph Holley, CB LaMareon James, DT Sam Kamara, RB Ahmani Marshall, DE Julian Okwara and RB Trayveon Williams to their practice squad.

Williams signed with the Browns earlier in August as a camp body with Quinshon Judkins still working his way in. The Browns also released WR Chase Cota, WR Kaden Davis, S Christopher Edmonds, CB LaMareon James, WR Kisean Johnson, DE Sam Kamara, RB Ahmani Marshall, WR Cade McDonald, DE Julian Okwara, and OT Kilian Zierer.

Williams spent six seasons with the Bengals but was let go at the end of last season. The veteran back did not log an offensive stat in 2024 and signed with the Patriots this offseason. He was let go by the Patriots on July 30th and will now land with the Browns in hopes of competing for a spot on the 53-man roster. Williams’ largest contributions have come on special teams throughout his career. He’ll be a long shot to make the roster.

Henderson was passed on the Cincinnati depth chart by Chase Brown last year, and the team even traded for Khalil Herbert midseason. Despite having no role on offense, Williams was active for all 17 games as a special teamer. He will likely hold a similar role in New England if he cracks the team’s 53-man roster.

The Pats also worked out former Bengals running back Trayveon Williams. Mims ran 20 times for 70 yards in 2024 while adding 12 catches for 71 yards through the air. He also got some run on special teams. The Patriots are looking for some extra depth at running back, but there isn’t room for another fantasy-relevant option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

Updating a prior report from NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson, the Texans hosted Hines, along with former Bengals RBs Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans, for a workout yesterday. Despite drafting former USC RB Woody Marks in the fourth round, the Texans appear dead set on adding another speedy pass-catching running back to the mix. Although Hines was technically under contract with the Bills (2023) and Browns (2024), he has not played football since tearing his ACL in a July 2023 jet skiing accident.