Page updated
Cleveland Browns · 2026
Who is Jaleel McLaughlin’s handcuff?
Explore the full Cleveland Browns depth chart, player roles and draft history
The published handcuff answer
Audric Estime
Behind Jaleel McLaughlin · CLE
Audric Estime is the preferred fantasy handcuff to Jaleel McLaughlin in our published Week 6 Cleveland Browns analysis. This backfield has committee uncertainty, so an absence could split the work between multiple backs.
Next up behind McLaughlin with Judkins inactive
Handcuff score
Backup opportunity, not projected points or an injury probability.
Analysis published . Status and role notes reflect that board.
Check official availability and your league’s transaction rules before adding.
Cleveland Browns backfield overview
If Jaleel McLaughlin misses time
Fact: CBS Sports (Oct. 18, 11:41 a.m. ET) reports Quinshon Judkins is inactive after his right ankle did not respond enough in a pregame workout, leaving Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime as the available backs. ESPN's inactives column (Oct. 18, 11:55 a.m. ET) confirms Judkins out and calls McLaughlin the preferred play. Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders are on IR. Projection: McLaughlin starts, so Estime is the next man up and the likelier short-yardage option; if McLaughlin got hurt, Estime would inherit early-down work. He is free almost everywhere. Handcuff view: Judkins remains the back to own long term; no multi-week timetable has been reported.
Quinshon Judkins (ankle) is inactive after a failed pregame workout, his first missed game of the season. Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime are the only active backs, with Sampson and Sanders on IR. McLaughlin is expected to lead; Estime is the only other body and could see goal-line work.
Material change: no longer a Saints IR stash - Cleveland signed him to the active roster Oct. 13 off Minnesota's practice squad, his fifth team in three seasons. He lands in a thin room: Judkins has a Week 5 ankle injury, Sampson and now Sanders are on IR, and McLaughlin is the only other healthy back. NBC Sports does not expect a meaningful workload yet, so this is a watch-list add, not a start.
- availability_unverified
- starter_out
- stale_availability
- conflicting_availability
- two_back_room
- thin_role_evidence
Why this candidate scores here
Other candidates in this backfield
Michael Burton
fullback · score 31/100
Candidates and scores are from the same published board. A split workload can limit the upside of any one backup.
The production behind the names
2026 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.
| Player | Games with stats | Carries | Receptions | Total yards | PPR / game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 3.0 |
| — | — | — | — | — |
Carries + receptions, last 3 recorded games in 2026
Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.
Handcuff, backup and next-man-up questions
Who is Jaleel McLaughlin’s handcuff?
Audric Estime is the preferred fantasy handcuff to Jaleel McLaughlin in our published Week 6 Cleveland Browns analysis. This backfield has committee uncertainty, so an absence could split the work between multiple backs.
Who is the backup running back behind Jaleel McLaughlin?
Audric Estime is the preferred replacement candidate in the published Cleveland Browns board. The board lists him at RB3. A fantasy handcuff recommendation and an official depth-chart position can differ; compare the full team chart and role evidence.
Who is next up if Jaleel McLaughlin misses a game?
Audric Estime is the preferred fantasy handcuff to Jaleel McLaughlin in our published Week 6 Cleveland Browns analysis. This backfield has committee uncertainty, so an absence could split the work between multiple backs. Other published candidates include Michael Burton. Fact: CBS Sports (Oct. 18, 11:41 a.m. ET) reports Quinshon Judkins is inactive after his right ankle did not respond enough in a pregame workout, leaving Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime as the available backs. ESPN's inactives column (Oct. 18, 11:55 a.m. ET) confirms Judkins out and calls McLaughlin the preferred play. Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders are on IR. Projection: McLaughlin starts, so Estime is the next man up and the likelier short-yardage option; if McLaughlin got hurt, Estime would inherit early-down work. He is free almost everywhere. Handcuff view: Judkins remains the back to own long term; no multi-week timetable has been reported.
Should I add Audric Estime as a handcuff?
Consider Audric Estime if you have a spare bench spot and want exposure to the replacement role behind Jaleel McLaughlin. His value depends on availability, competition for carries and receiving work, and your league’s roster rules. A handcuff is not automatically a useful starter this week. Review the dated analysis, current injury reports and the next kickoff before adding.
Compare backup running backs and next-man-up candidates for every team. Published depth and scores come from the documented roster, depth-chart and scoring process; they do not establish game-day availability.
Sources behind the analysis
- Browns' Quinshon Judkins: Sidelined for Week 6
- Fantasy football Week 6 inactives: Williams to play; Hurts, Jackson ruled out
Published analysis may use automated research. How evidence and recommendations are handled.
Already rostered? Explore another backfield.
Get the next window’s board.
Free board emails before and after game windows.