Browns Sign Former Denver Broncos RB to Practice Squad

The Cleveland Browns have signed former Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin to the practice squad.

The Broncos released McLaughlin, and he could now be a solid depth running back for the Browns. In the 2023 season with Denver, he rushed for 410 yards and a touchdown on 76 carries while hauling in 31 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

In the 2024 season, McLaughlin played well, rushing for 496 yards and a touchdown on 113 carries with 24 receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns. He appeared in only eight games in 2025, rushing for 187 yards and a touchdown on 37 carries, and catching four passes for 27 yards.

McLaughlin could be a quality depth piece for the Browns' running back room behind Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, and Raheim Sanders. It's a young group, but they have a ton of talent.

Judkins will be the workhorse after a great rookie season as he rushed for 827 yards and seven touchdowns while catching 26 passes for 171 yards in 14 games. Sampson was also solid, particularly in the passing game, rushing for 175 yards on 65 carries with 33 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns. 

Sanders had a smaller role in four games with the Browns in 2025, rushing for 92 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries with three receptions for 21 yards.

Cleveland's run game should be strong in the 2026 season under head coach Todd Monken's new offensive system.

Monken served as the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator before joining the Browns, and the Ravens had a strong rushing attack with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson.

While Cleveland's roster isn't set up to contend right away, they have some talented young pieces in place to be more competitive in 2026. The Browns finished with a 5-12 record in 2025 and then traded away superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse and draft capital.

The Browns have a promising future ahead, and McLaughlin could be a quality fourth running back for the team as an impactful player in the receiving game.