Dylan Sampson has been placed on injured reserve with a knee injury and will miss at least four games.

The move removes Cleveland’s primary backup running back from the immediate rotation and further consolidates the backfield around Quinshon Judkins. Raheim Sanders is expected to move into the backup role, while Cleveland has also added Jaleel McLaughlin to the active roster.

Judkins managers get additional short-term workload security with Sampson unavailable.

Sanders becomes the Cleveland back to monitor in deeper leagues and as a potential handcuff, but this is primarily a positive opportunity development for Judkins rather than a reason to aggressively chase Cleveland’s reserve backs.

Sampson can be moved to an IR slot where available.

Cleveland officially placed Sampson on injured reserve Tuesday after he suffered a knee injury while returning a kickoff in Week 1.

The designation guarantees an absence of at least four games.

With Sampson sidelined, Sanders is expected to serve as the primary backup to Judkins. Cleveland also promoted McLaughlin from the practice squad to the active roster, adding another option to the running back room.

This backfield just became clearer.

Sampson’s absence removes one source of competition behind Judkins and strengthens the starter’s grip on Cleveland’s rushing workload.

Sanders now has increased contingency value, but Judkins is the primary fantasy beneficiary.