Browns RB Dylan Sampson to IR: Survivor Pick Fallout

Browns lose Dylan Sampson to injured reserve

The Browns announced Tuesday that running back Dylan Sampson is headed to injured reserve with a knee injury, sidelining him for the foreseeable future. That thins Cleveland's backfield heading into a stretch where the schedule already offers little comfort.

What it means for your survivor pick

Cleveland wasn't a survivor option to begin with, and losing a rotational back only reinforces it. The Browns are road underdogs in Week 2 at Tampa Bay, where the Buccaneers are favored by 6.5. It doesn't get easier: they're home dogs to Carolina (-2.5) in Week 3 and to Pittsburgh (-3) in Week 4. That's three straight games where Cleveland is priced to lose, so this is a team to keep off your board — not one to pick.

The more relevant angle is the other side. Tampa Bay laying nearly a touchdown at home against a shorthanded Cleveland offense is the kind of spread survivor players scan for, though a 6.5-point favorite is closer to a calculated pick than a lock. If you're weighing the Bucs, weigh them against the rest of your season plan and the safer double-digit favorites available. New to the format? Our survivor pool FAQ walks through how far ahead you should be thinking, and you can always start a free survivor pool to put the strategy to work.