Cleveland is making moves in their backfield, with running back Raheim Sanders officially hitting injured reserve due to a hip injury. This isn’t just a depth chart shuffle; the team is losing their primary kick returner, a guy who’s been electric on special teams all season.
The Raheim Sanders Hit: A Gap in Special Teams
Sanders went down in Sunday’s tough loss to the Jets, and it’s a huge blow to special teams. He was averaging a monster 29.3 yards per kick return. That kind of explosiveness doesn’t grow on trees, and his absence leaves a big hole for the Browns to fill. You know how critical those hidden yardage plays are, right? Getting that field position advantage can swing games, and Sanders was consistently giving them that edge. His injury immediately makes things tougher in a part of the game that can often be overlooked, but is totally clutch.
Audric Estime Steps Up: A Practice Squad Gem?
To fill that void on the 53-man roster, Cleveland wasted no time, signing running back Audric Estime straight off the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad. This guy isn’t a total unknown, either. Last year, Estime saw action in seven games with one start for New Orleans, putting up 198 rushing yards and a touchdown, plus snagging 12 passes for 103 receiving yards. Before that, he logged 13 games for Denver back in 2024. He’s got some NFL reps under his belt, and the Browns are clearly hoping he can step in and contribute quickly, potentially making an immediate impact on offense or special teams.
Other Roster Shuffles Behind The Scenes
The backfield wasn’t the only spot getting attention. The Browns also beefed up their practice squad, bringing in tight end Devin Culp and guard Vershon Lee. To make space, they released cornerback Myles Bryant and wide receiver James Proche II from the practice squad. These might seem like smaller moves, but you know how important practice squad depth is for those emergency call-ups and keeping the team prepared for anything.
So, with Sanders out, all eyes are gonna be on Estime to see if he can bring that spark the Browns desperately need, especially in the return game. It’s an early-season shake-up, and how this new backfield mix settles out could be big for Cleveland moving forward. Can Estime hit the ground running? We’ll find out soon!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
Leave a Reply