2026 · WEEK 5 CLOSE
$0–1W–SINCE '26 DRAFTHIGH $0
AGE25Sep 13, 2000
EXP3 yrssince 2023
HEIGHT5'9"
McLaughlin was the first running back to take reps during pregame warmups and appears likely to draw the start Sunday against the Ravens, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
With Quinshon Judkins (ankle) inactive and both Raheim Sanders (hip) and Dylan Sampson (knee) on injured reserve, McLaughlin is the next man up out of the backfield for Cleveland. Cleveland signed Audric Estime off the Minnesota practice squad earlier in the week to provide another option at running back, but McLaughlin projects to serve as the lead ballcarrier as well as the team's top option on passing downs. In four games with the Browns since being signed to the roster, McLaughlin has played just 27 total snaps on offense, carrying twice for 31 yards and a touchdown while going without a catch on two targets.
The Browns signed McLaughlin off their practice squad Tuesday.
McLaughlin takes the spot on the 53-man roster vacated when Dylan Sampson (knee) was placed on injured reserve. McLaughlin has appeared in 41 career regular-season games over three seasons with the Broncos, carrying the ball 226 times for 1,093 yards for a 4.8 YPC while scoring three touchdowns. He's also been competent as a pass catcher, securing 59 of 69 targets for 263 yards and four more TDs. McLaughlin could play an immediate role in passing situations behind early-down back Quinshon Judkins.
Everyone sharing the ball with Jaleel, most valuable first.
Above the line the plan was to throw; below it, to run.
The Browns signed McLaughlin to the practice squad Tuesday.
McLaughlin was waived by the Broncos on Sunday after losing to Tyler Badie for the RB4 role behind J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman. McLaughlin will get a new opportunity in Cleveland, where he would be a top candidate for elevation to the active roster if one of Quidshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson or Raheim Sanders miss time. McLaughlin appeared in eight regular-season games for the Broncos last year, logging 37 carries for 187 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches (on six targets) for 27 yards.
The Broncos waived McLaughlin on Sunday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.
After serving in a depth capacity in the Denver backfield over the past three seasons and averaging an excellent 4.8 yards per carry over that stretch, McLaughiln re-upped with the Broncos on a one-year, $1.43 million deal in March but was still forced to battle for a roster spot heading into training camp and the preseason. A lack of utility on special teams appears to have cost McLaughlin a job, with Denver opting to keep Tyler Badie over him as its No. 4 running back behind J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman.
The RBs priced immediately above and below him.
