NFL2026-10-13Lamar Jackson Is 'Doing Better' but Unconfirmed for Cleveland, and Quinshon Judkins' Ankle Clouds the Browns Backfield
By Verdexed NFL Desk
Both starting backfields in Sunday's Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns game are in question. Ravens coach Jesse Minter said Monday that Lamar Jackson is doing better in his recovery from a sprained left ankle but that it is not clear whether he will practice Wednesday. In Cleveland, coach Todd Monken said running back Quinshon Judkins is day-to-day with an ankle tweak suffered in the 17-12 loss to the New York Jets, and that the team may open Dylan Sampson's practice window to return from injured reserve.
The answers will come over the next four days, and they matter for every fantasy starter in this game and for a point spread that has already moved toward Baltimore.
Lamar Jackson: improving, not cleared
Jackson sprained his left ankle in the Ravens' Week 4 win over Tennessee and sat out Week 5. Reporting since has been mixed. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said late last week that the Ravens did not know whether Jackson would play in Week 6, then reported Monday that there was some hope he could. Minter's comments match that: progress, but no commitment.
The practical read for fantasy managers is that Wednesday's practice report is the first real signal. A limited session would make him a likely starter. A missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday would point to a second straight start for Tyler Huntley.
Tyler Huntley already won one
Huntley's spot start in Atlanta was the best-case version of a backup quarterback game. He completed 24 of 32 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a third, leading a late 71-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass to Devontez Walker and then a 14-play overtime drive that ended with his 1-yard sneak. Baltimore won 30-23 and moved to 4-1, alone in first place in the AFC North.
If Jackson sits, Huntley is a streaming option in two-quarterback and superflex leagues, but not in standard formats; his rushing gives him a floor, but the passing volume is modest. The bigger effect of a Jackson absence is on the Ravens' skill players. Baltimore's receivers and tight ends lose value with Huntley because the offense becomes more conservative, while the backfield's workload holds steady or grows.
The Browns backfield, by status
Cleveland's running back room took two hits in the loss to the Jets, and the depth chart now looks like this:
| Running back | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Quinshon Judkins | Ankle | Day-to-dayleft stadium in a precautionary boot |
| Raheim Sanders | Hip | Left Week 5 game in fourth quarter |
| Dylan Sampson | Knee sprain | On IR; practice window could open this week |
| Jaleel McLaughlin | Healthy | Signed off practice squad in September |
Judkins left the stadium in a walking boot on his right foot, which the team described as a precaution. Some reports noted it is the same leg in which he dislocated his ankle and fractured his fibula last season, which required surgery. Reporting since Monday has pointed to nothing serious, and Monken also declined to rule out any injured player for Sunday.
Sanders had three carries for 12 yards and a one-yard catch before leaving with the hip injury. Sampson was placed on IR in mid-September with a sprained knee and a four-game minimum; his return would give Cleveland a pass-catching back.
Fantasy fallout
Quinshon Judkins: If he practices by Thursday, he is the clear lead back and a RB2 against Baltimore. If he is limited all week, wait for Sunday's inactives before locking him in; with byes for Cincinnati, Detroit, Miami and Minnesota, have a backup plan ready.
Dylan Sampson: The speculative add of the week in deeper leagues. A return from IR could come as soon as Sunday, and if Judkins is limited, Sampson's receiving role makes him a PPR flex.
Jaleel McLaughlin: Only a desperation play, and only if both Judkins and Sanders are ruled out.
Ravens: Jackson is an automatic start if active. Huntley is a superflex option only. Baltimore's lead back gets a usage bump if Huntley starts.
Cleveland's defense is also banged up: linebacker Carson Schwesinger is day-to-day with an ankle injury of his own. That improves the Ravens' rushing outlook regardless of who starts at quarterback.
Betting angle
The Ravens opened as 3.5-point favorites and have moved to 4.5 at DraftKings, which suggests the market expects Jackson to play or does not believe his absence costs Baltimore much against this opponent. Huntley's win in Atlanta has made the second argument easier to make.
That leaves value questions on both sides of the injury news. If Jackson is ruled out late in the week, the number could drift back toward a field goal; if he practices fully on Wednesday, it could climb. Bettors who want exposure to the Ravens' side with Jackson active are better served waiting for Wednesday's report than taking the current number blind. The game page at NFL predictions and the weekly picks piece at /blog/nfl-week-6-picks-2026 carry the model's view once it publishes.
What's next
Wednesday's practice reports from both teams set the week. Watch three names: Jackson (any participation is a strong sign), Judkins (a full session ends the concern) and Sampson (an opened practice window means he could be activated Saturday). The final injury reports come Friday, and the game kicks off Sunday, October 18.