Browns’ roster move to start the week looks like a sign that Cleveland will be without a key starter against the Ravens
The Browns take on the Ravens in Week 7 and they very well could be doing it without a key starter if their latest roster move means anything.
The Cleveland Browns are 3-2 following a 17-12 loss to the New York Jets in Week 5, and they may have come out of that game without one of their most important offensive pieces.
Browns running back Quinshon Judkins was seen in a walking boot on his right foot after the loss, and the latest roster move from Cleveland points toward a backfield shakeup for Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Browns coach Todd Monken did not rule out Judkins to start the week ahead of Sunday’s AFC North matchup with the Ravens. However, the front office made a signing that tells a different story.
The move signals the Browns are likely going to be without their starting running back against Baltimore.
Browns sign RB Audric Estime off the Vikings practice squad
According to Jordan Schultz, the Browns are signing running back Audric Estime off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad and onto their 53-man roster.
Estime was a fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2024 NFL Draft. He played 13 games as a rookie and finished with 310 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Estime didn’t stick in Denver and spent the 2025 season with the New Orleans Saints. In a reserve role last season, he totaled 198 rushing yards on 46 attempts.
The 23-year-old is a bigger-built back at 5-foot-11, 227 pounds, and he played his college ball at Notre Dame. That frame gives Cleveland a different look in the backfield, especially in short-yardage situations against a physical Ravens front.
Raheim Sanders could get the start against the Ravens
With Estime coming in, this very well could be a situation where the Browns start running back Raheim Sanders in Week 6. Estime would then slide in as the backup behind him.
There’s also the matter of running back Dylan Sampson. Cleveland has the option of opening Sampson’s practice window this week, and he could return to practice. Still, that doesn’t mean he’s going to suit up against the Ravens after not for a month. Getting Sampson back on the practice field would be a positive step, but expecting him to carry a load on Sunday is a different story.
Bringing in Estime all but shows Cleveland’s hand. The Browns very well could be without Judkins in Week 7. Teams don’t typically pull a running back off another team’s practice squad in the middle of the season unless there’s a real need at the position.
Running game was already a concern for Cleveland
Losing Judkins for any amount of time isn’t great news for a Browns rushing attack that has struggled. Cleveland is averaging 94 rushing yards per game, which ranks 21st in the NFL.
That puts more pressure on the passing game and the defense to carry the load against a division rival. The Ravens are never an easy matchup, and facing them with a patchwork backfield makes the task even tougher.
Additionally, how Monken divides the work between Sanders and Estime will be worth watching. Sanders figures to get the first crack at the job, while Estime brings a downhill style that could help Cleveland close out drives when they need some tough yards.
The Browns will have more clarity once the injury report starts rolling out this week. If Judkins is unable to go, Sanders and Estime will be tasked with keeping the running game afloat in a key AFC North game.
