Tony Grossi and Underdog NFL matched the report. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken told reporters there is a chance Sampson can play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens and that the staff is excited to have him back. Designated-for-return status puts Sampson in a 21-day practice window while he still counts on the reserve/injured list until Cleveland activates him or the window expires.
Sampson had been on IR as Cleveland's backfield thinned. The Browns placed Raheim Sanders (hip) on injured reserve Tuesday and signed Audric Estime from Minnesota's practice squad, moves this desk already covered. Quinshon Judkins was not expected to practice Wednesday with an ankle issue, per the team's pre-practice report relayed by Grossi. That leaves Estime and whoever else is up as the near-term options unless Sampson clears enough work to be activated for Week 6.
The return designation is the first hard roster step toward availability. It does not by itself put Sampson on the 53-man roster or guarantee snaps against Baltimore. Monken's chance comment keeps Sunday open without promising a start or a set workload. Owners should treat Wednesday as the start of the evaluation, not the finish.
What is confirmed: Sampson is designated for return from IR, he is practicing Wednesday, and Monken said there is a chance he plays Week 6. What is not confirmed: an activation before Sunday, a snap-count plan, or Judkins' Week 6 status after more practices.
For RSO owners, put Sampson back on the waiver and IR-stash radar in formats that keep injured backs. Estime is still a short-term depth piece until Cleveland shows its Week 6 backfield. Watch Sampson's participation Thursday and Friday, Judkins' ankle designations, and whether Cleveland activates Sampson from the return window before the Ravens game.
