Former Tennessee Vol standout Dylan Sampson just hit with a dose of rough news early in the 2026 NFL season
The VFL is going to be out of action for a while after a tough break to start the year.
Sunday was a tough day for the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland opened its 2026 season down in Jacksonville and was throttled by the defending AFC South champions, 34-10. The Browns could get nothing going on the offensive side of the ball with quarterback Deshaun Watson under center. It was a generally rough day all around for the team.
And for one former Tennessee Vol, things were even worse. Dylan Sampson suffered a knee injury during the contest and had to leave the game. He was seen on crutches after the game, which is never a good sign.
And the news was not good on Monday night for the VFL. According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Sampson is expected to miss “significant time” with the injury.
Dylan Sampson to miss ‘significant time’ per ESPN NFL insider Jeremy fowler
It’s a truly tough break for Sampson, who shattered a number of program records for Tennessee in 2024. A third-round pick by the Browns in the 2025 NFL Draft, Sampson has faced a bit of an uphill battle to see significant playing time on offense. Cleveland drafted Quinshon Judkins early in the second round of the same draft, who has taken on the role of the primary ball carrier.
Sampson logged no carries or catches on Sunday, but he did add a couple of kickoff returns, including a 37-yarder. Through 16 career games, he has 175 rushing yards, 271 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns (on 33 catches), and 424 kickoff return yards, so he’s been used in a variety of ways.
But it appears it will be a while before we see the former Vol on the field again this year.
