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Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson developing in Browns' offense | In the Trenches

The Browns play the 49ers at Huntington Bank Field in Week 13

In the Trenches 11.24 Article

The Browns welcome the 49ers to Cleveland for the second time in three seasons, playing San Francisco in Week 13 at Huntington Bank Field.

Cleveland plays at home after a dominant 24-10 win against the Raiders at Las Vegas in Week 12. The Browns are 2-2 in games in Cleveland this season and look to improve on that record on Nov. 30.

"Great to get a road win for this football team, some really good moments on all three sides of the ball and now we have to build on it," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "We have to have a big one at our place. We're excited to be back home in front of our fans versus a very good football team who is playing tonight."

Here are the main pieces of news heading into the Week 13 matchup.

Kevin Stefanski gives injury updates

Stefanski provided injury updates for QB Dillon Gabriel and DE Alex Wright, as well as ruled out two players for the week due to their injuries.

Gabriel cleared concussion protocol after not returning in the second half of the Week 11 game against the Ravens. Gabriel didn't practice until Nov. 21 when he was limited and was ruled out against the Raiders.

Wright is day to day with a quad injury. He sustained the injury in the third quarter against the Jets in Week 10. He was ruled out against the Ravens and Raiders and didn't practice in the lead-up to Week 12.

DT Adin Huntington also had a quad injury but will be out against the 49ers. TE Brenden Bates will also be out against San Francisco due to an ankle injury. Both Huntington and Bates are week to week, but Stefanski said injured reserve was a possibility for the two players.

"We'll see how that goes," Stefanski said of Huntington and Bates' returns from injury. "Over the next couple of days, I'll have a better sense."

Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson showcase versatile skillsets

RB Quinshon Judkins and RB Dylan Sampson have led Cleveland's rushing attack this season. Judkins has 667 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, leading rookie running backs in both categories. Sampson has come in on a situational basis, aiding in both the run and pass game. He has recorded 89 rushing yards on 38 carries and 23 catches for 195 receiving yards.

When Judkins was off the field against Las Vegas, Sampson received the bulk of the carries. He finished the game with seven carries for 23 yards.

Judkins had 16 carries for 47 yards but was useful in red zone situations, scoring two rushing touchdowns against the Raiders. The Browns have utilized Judkins on the goal line in the wildcat formation, lining up the rookie running back behind center. Against the Dolphins in Week 7 and the Raiders in Week 12, Judkins scored two touchdowns from the wildcat formation.

Sampson has been an asset for Cleveland in the pass game. While Judkins was inactive in Week 1 against Cincinnati, Sampson had eight catches for 64 yards. Against Las Vegas, he showcased what he could do in the pass game again. QB Shedeur Sanders threw Sampson a screen pass to the right and Sampson followed his blockers. He ran 66 yards to the end zone, scoring his second career touchdown and giving Cleveland a 24-3 lead in the fourth quarter.

"He's done everything that we've asked him to do, going back to the second he was here," Stefanski said. "We've had him do a variety of jobs on offense. He's now a kick returner for us, so he will really do whatever we ask him to do. He's always ready. I think we can definitely do a better job of getting him involved early and often with Quinshon (Judkins). We just feel like there's a lot of opportunities for all these players, and he's definitely earned a role like that."

Together, the two rookie running backs have been a dangerous combination with Judkins running the ball and Sampson providing valuable contributions to the Browns' offense when called upon.

"I think the sky is the limit, just with the way both of us play," Sampson said. "I think we both play hard. I think we both have unique things that we both could bring to this offense and to this league. What it could be, I think in terms of just the staple that some of the other teams have now, like teams in Detroit or what the Saints used to have, I believe it can be that and I'm going to work for it to be that every single day."

Browse action photos from the Browns' 2025 Week 12 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, featuring top plays and moments.

Maliek Collins and Mason Graham provide pressure from the interior

While DE Myles Garrett inches closer to the NFL single-season sack record, defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Mason Graham are helping to take some of the focus off of him.

Garrett has 18 sacks this season, but Collins is second on the Browns with a career-high 6.5 sacks. Collins also had a career-high 2.5 sacks against the Raiders. During his career year, Collins has also been a leader in the interior and has helped Graham in his rookie season. Graham plays beside Collins on the defensive line and also trained with him during the offseason in Houston, Texas.

"I think that's just what comes with being a leader or just being a person that people want to follow," Collins said. "I look at them too. I want to compete with them and make sure that I'm holding up my end of the bargain. I know I'm one of the vets in the room, so I know I have to be leading by example."

Graham has yet to notch an individual sack – recording a half a sack in Week 3 – but has still found a way to make an impact in the backfield. Graham shut down Raiders RB Raheem Mostert in the backfield for a loss of six yards and has five tackles for loss this season, registering one in each of the last three games. Graham's motor has also been on display, making 27 tackles this season, the third-most among defensive linemen. Against Las Vegas he tied Garrett with five tackles, plugging up the middle of the field and helping hold Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty to 2.9 yards per carry.

While Garrett is picking up a steady stream of sacks, Collins and Graham are helping to cause chaos and give Garrett a chance to chase history.

"There's a saying that we go by, 'That's our job is to disrupt. The guys behind are to clean up,'" Collins said. "I like that motto. That's how I've always played, and I think it's the easy way of playing. You don't have to be worried about, 'Hey, I have to do this or stay in this gap.' You have all types of responsibilities but it's a certain freedom that it allows you to play with."

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