Full Breakdown
Browns Activate Dylan Sampson Ahead of Week 7 Clash with Titans
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Cleveland Browns activated running back Dylan Sampson (knee) from injured reserve and cleared safety Grant Delpit from concussion protocol just before their Week 7 matchup with the Tennessee Titans. The move restores a versatile pass-catching back to the roster and gives the Browns a healthier defensive backfield for the upcoming Sunday game in Nashville.
Background & Context
Cleveland entered the contest with a 4-2 record, leading the AFC North, while Tennessee sat at 1-5 in the AFC South. The Browns have won four of their last five games after an opening-week loss to Jacksonville, defeating the Buccaneers, Panthers, Steelers and Ravens. The Titans earned their first win of the season by beating the Indianapolis Colts 26-20 the week before. The two teams met in the 2025 regular season, with Tennessee prevailing 31-29 in a game noted for Shedeur Sanders’ performance.
Data & Statistics
- Team records: Browns 4-2; Titans 1-5.
- Defensive rankings: Cleveland allows the fifth-fewest points per game (20.3) and ranks second in the league with 19 sacks (tied for second in some reports). Tennessee ranks last in total offense (236.3 yards per game) and 31st in scoring (14 points per game).
- Pass rush: The Titans recorded six sacks in their win over the Colts; Jeffery Simmons leads Tennessee with four sacks. Cleveland has given up 24 sacks in six games, the most in the NFL, and has allowed 112.3 rushing yards per game (17th overall).
- Running backs: Sampson posted 175 rushing yards on 65 carries and 33 receptions for 271 yards in his rookie season. Quinshon Judkins leads Cleveland with 230 rushing yards (3.0 yards per carry) this season.
Official Statements & Responses
Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg noted that the Browns’ goal is to keep pressure on Titans quarterback Cam Ward, who has been sacked only ten times this year. Former Browns player Switzer highlighted the complementary skill sets of Sampson and Judkins, adding that their availability “is going to be huge.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Both figures are cited, but the precise league standing remains unclear. Additionally, while several reports confirm Sampson’s activation, the injury report from *SI* lists him as “questionable,” indicating lingering uncertainty about his game-day status.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They have different skill sets that we can utilize for both of them, so having those guys back is going to be huge,” — Switzer
- “There’s a lot of things we need to do better on offense, but to have those guys back together, I think should be a boost for us,” — Todd Monken, coach
- “That's what we talked about, the ball is oxygen,” — Carson Schwesinger
- “I'm not really surprised from watching his film last year and from hearing what I heard about him before I got here,” — Jared Verse
- “Yeah, I mean, it almost took other people telling me to just protect myself, just take it slow, it’s early in the season still,” — Mason Graham
What’s Next
Following the Titans game, the Browns return home for a divisional showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers the next week, a matchup that could solidify their hold on the AFC North lead.