Todd Monken and the Cleveland Browns wanted a strong start to a new era, but Sunday didn’t cooperate. The Jacksonville Jaguars ran away with a 34-10 win in Week 1, dropping Cleveland into the NFL’s early group of teams still searching for answers in 2026. Deshaun Watson finished 16-of-22 passing for one touchdown and one interception, and Jacksonville’s defense sacked him five times.
The offense never found rhythm against a Jaguars team that controlled the game from the start, leaving Monken with plenty to fix in his first game as Cleveland’s head coach.
Cleveland trailed 24-0 at halftime, matching the Browns’ worst halftime shutout in 35 years. The offense mustered five first downs across six drives and went 0-for-4 on third down. Things got worse when second-year running back Dylan Sampson left after Jacksonville’s second-half kickoff and never returned, later seen getting around on crutches as concern grew over the injury.
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By Tuesday, the Browns had more clarity on the fallout from that game. Cleveland made its first move to address the running back room, a direct response to the injury that ended the second-year back’s afternoon early against Jacksonville.
The Browns placed Dylan Sampson on injured reserve, officially ruling him out for at least four games. Cleveland also signed running back Jaleel McLaughlin to the active roster off the practice squad.
The team also added running back Eric Gray, tackle Obinna Eze, punter Wes Pahl and tackle Xavier Truss to the practice squad, while releasing cornerback D’Angelo Ross and defensive tackle Chris Williams.
The second-year back was expected to share the backfield with Quinshon Judkins this season, and his absence adds to an offense that managed just 10 points and 87 yards on 22 carries overall against Jacksonville. Sampson won’t be eligible to return until Week 6.
Cleveland’s next matchup is Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2026 NFL season.
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