Browns' Jaleel McLaughlin: Finds end zone during Thursday's victory
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McLaughlin turned his lone carry into a 28-yard touchdown during the Browns' 27-24 win over the Steelers on Thursday.
McLaughlin was on the field for only one offensive snap Thursday. He made that play count, with the fourth-year pro taking advantage of strong run blocking to reach the end zone for the fourth touchdown of his NFL career. That score may have earned McLaughlin some more reps moving forward, though he's still firmly behind both Quinshon Judkins and Raheim Sanders in the pecking order for backfield snaps. The Browns will hit the road for a Week 5 tilt against the Jets.
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Browns' Jaleel McLaughlin: One carry in win
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McLaughlin logged one carry for three yards and could not catch his sole target in Sunday's 23-19 win over the Buccaneers.
McLaughlin saw just eight offensive snaps in Sunday's win. The running back was signed to the active roster from the practice squad last Tuesday after Dylan Sampson (knee) was placed on injured reserve. McLaughlin appears set to fill a depth role behind Quinshon Judkins and Raheim Sanders until Sampson is able to return.
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Browns' Jaleel McLaughlin: Signs to active roster
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The Browns signed McLaughlin off their practice squad Tuesday.
McLaughlin takes the spot on the 53-man roster vacated by running back Dylan Sampson (knee), who was placed on injured reserve. McLaughlin has appeared in 41 career games over three seasons with the Broncos, carrying the ball 226 times for 1,093 yards (4.8 YPC) while scoring three touchdowns. He's also been competent as a pass catcher, securing 59 of 69 targets for 263 yards and four more scores. McLaughlin could play an immediate role in passing situations behind early-down back Quinshon Judkins.
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Jaleel McLaughlin: Catches on with Cleveland's practice squad
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The Browns signed McLaughlin to the practice squad Tuesday.
McLaughlin was waived by the Broncos on Sunday but will get a new opportunity with the Browns, where he would be a top candidate for elevation to the active roster if one of Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson or Raheim Sanders miss time. McLaughlin appeared in eight regular-season games for Denver last year, logging 37 carries for 187 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches on six targets for 27 yards.
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Jaleel McLaughlin: Time in Denver ends
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The Broncos waived McLaughlin on Sunday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.
After serving in a depth capacity in the Denver backfield over the past three seasons and averaging an excellent 4.8 yards per carry over that stretch, McLaughiln re-upped with the Broncos on a one-year, $1.43 million deal in March but was still forced to battle for a roster spot heading into training camp and the preseason. A lack of utility on special teams appears to have cost McLaughlin a job, with Denver opting to keep Tyler Badie over him as its No. 4 running back behind J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Fighting for No. 4 spot
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McLaughlin will enter training camp competing with Tyler Badie for what appears to be the No. 4 role in the Broncos' backfield, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.
McLaughlin re-signed with Denver this offseason, but with all of J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman seemingly above him on the running back depth chart, the 25-year-old looks set to battle for depth duties with Badie, McLaughlin still offers change-of-pace abilities and rushing upside (career 4.8 YPC), but Badie's pass-protection skills and special-teams value could make for a tough camp competition. Even if McLaughlin wins the No. 4 spot, he lacks a clear path to touches on offense.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Back with Broncos
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The Broncos have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with McLaughlin, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
Though the Broncos initially declined to offer McLaughlin a contract tender ahead of free agency, the 25-year-old will return to the team after all. The core of Denver's backfield thus remains unchanged from 2025, with J.K. Dobbins having also been re-signed and RJ Harvey back for his second year as a pro. In eight regular-season outings in 2025, McLaughlin carried 37 times for 187 yards and a TD, while adding four catches for 27 yards. Now that he's back in the fold, McLaughlin will reprise his depth role behind Dobbins and Harvey in 2026.
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Jaleel McLaughlin: Won't be tendered by Broncos
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The Broncos don't plan to offer McLaughlin a contract tender, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
As a result, the pending restricted free agent will be eligible to hit the open market, though Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post indicates that the Broncos are thought to be open to bringing the RB back. In eight regular-season contests with Denver in 2025, the 25-year-old carried 37 times (down from his career high 113 mark in 2024) for 187 yards and a TD, while adding four catches for 27 yards.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Accrues 13 total yards in loss
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McLaughlin rushed four times for 11 yards and brought one of two targets for two yards in the Broncos' 10-7 loss to the Patriots in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.
McLaughlin filled his usual complementary role behind RJ Harvey, who led the ground attack with 13 carries. The third-year pro wasn't able to break into the open field on any of this four totes, and weather conditions that included significant second-half snowfall made offense difficult to come by as a whole. McLaughlin will be a restricted free agent this offseason, and it appears unlikely he'll draw any interest from other teams under that classification.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Tallies 80 all-purpose yards in win
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McLaughlin rushed four times for 21 yards, failed to bring in his only target and ran back three kickoffs for 59 yards in the Broncos' 33-30 overtime divisional-round win against the Bills on Saturday.
The reserve running back logged only two fewer carries than backfield mate RJ Harvey while also providing a 27-yard kickoff return among his three runbacks. McLaughlin is likely ticketed for single-digit carries and a special-teams role again in an upcoming AFC Championship Game clash versus either the Texans or Patriots, although it's possible the ground attack as a whole is relied on more with Jarrett Stidham taking over at quarterback for Bo Nix, who'll be sidelined until next season due to an ankle fracture he suffered in overtime.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Modest third season in Denver
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McLaughlin ended the 2025 regular season with 37 carries for 187 yards and a touchdown, adding four receptions on six targets for 27 yards across eight games.
McLaughlin played just 85 offensive snaps in eight appearances during the 2025 campaign, playing just 14 total offensive snaps across two contests before Denver's Week 12 bye. The 25-year-old running back only saw his role increase once J.K. Dobbins landed on injured reserve with a foot injury, though his increased playing time did not amount to much in the way of significant production. Down the stretch, head coach Sean Payton hinted we could see McLaughlin get more involved in the rotation behind rookie RJ Harvey, yet Harvey continued to handle the bulk of the backfield work as the season progressed. McLaughlin will enter the 2026 offseason as a restricted free agent, so the Broncos could retain him if they can match an offer from another team. With that said, Dobbins will become a restricted free agent and Tyler Badie is set to be an exclusive-rights free agent this offseason. With Harvey being the only back under contract for next season, the Broncos will have some decisions to make regarding their running back room ahead of the 2026 campaign. If brought back by Denver, McLaughlin would continue to operate as a solid depth piece for the Broncos' rushing attack.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Seven carries in win
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McLaughlin rushed the ball seven times for 40 yards in Thursday's 20-13 win over the Chiefs.
McLaughlin closed the gap in workload to RJ Harvey in Week 16, though he was the clear complementary back once again Thursday. He was out-touched 19-7 by Harvey, though McLaughlin did chip in a 15-yard run just before halftime to set up a field goal for the Broncos. He'll likely retain a secondary role in the Denver offense in Week 18 against the Chargers.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Coach suggests more work coming
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Head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that he plans to get McLaughlin more touches moving forward, Jon Heath of USA Today Broncos Wire reports.
RJ Harvey is in line to play through a rib injury Sunday against the Jaguars, but the Broncos will be mindful of the rookie lead back's workload down the stretch to help ensure Harvey's healthy for the playoffs. If Harvey comes off the field more on early downs, that could lead to more opportunities for McLaughlin. While McLaughlin's a capable pass catcher, Tyler Badie seems to be the team's preferred backfield option in passing situations. McLaughlin has yet to exceed seven touches in a game this season, and an increased workload may not lead to much success Sunday against Jacksonville's stout run defense.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
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RJ Harvey (ribs) was injured late in Week 15 against Green Bay, and we'll see what his status is for Week 16 against Jacksonville. If Harvey can't play, then the Broncos would likely use a tandem of McLaughlin and Tyler Badie (1 percent rostered) against the Jaguars, and I would give the edge to McLaughlin as the Denver running back to use in most Fantasy leagues. He would only be a flex option at best, and McLaughlin has combined for 18 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 10 yards on three targets in four games since J.K. Dobbins (foot) was injured in Week 10. Badie, meanwhile, has four carries for 16 yards and six catches for 24 yards on eight targets over that span.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Minimal usage in win
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McLaughlin rushed two times for four yards in Sunday's 34-26 win over the Packers.
McLaughlin continued to operate as Denver's No. 2 running back while playing just nine of the Broncos' 68 offensive snaps against Green Bay. Meanwhile, teammate RJ Harvey dominated the running back snap share, playing 46 snaps in the contest. The 25-year-old McLaughlin does not hold much fantasy value based on his limited usage in Denver's offense, though he remains a solid insurance policy if Harvey were to be sidelined by an injury down the stretch. Up next for the Broncos is a Week 16 home matchup against the Jaguars.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Handles four carries in win
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McLaughlin rushed four times for 22 yards and caught his lone target for nine yards in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Raiders.
McLaughlin played just 10 of the Broncos' 74 offensive snaps Sunday, behind both RJ Harvey (50) and Tyler Badie (12). The 25-year-old running back was unable to get much going with his limited opportunities, as Harvey continued to establish himself as the No. 1 option out of the backfield while recording 100 total scrimmage yards on 23 touches and a touchdown. McLaughlin remains a solid insurance policy in the event that Harvey misses time down the stretch, but barring an injury, McLaughlin should not be trusted for fantasy purposes heading into a Week 15 matchup against the Packers.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Week 14 Waiver Priority List
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McLaughlin should be considered the No. 2 running back for the Broncos behind RJ Harvey, and McLaughlin is worth adding in all leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB. In Week 13 at Washington, McLaughlin had six carries for 24 yards and one catch for 6 yards on one target. If Harvey were to miss any time then McLaughlin would be at least a flex option in the majority of leagues.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Sleeper RBs
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RJ Harvey is my Start of the Week, but McLaughlin has the chance to be a flex option in the majority of leagues in Week 13 at Washington. In the first game for Denver without J.K. Dobbins (foot) in Week 11 against Kansas City, McLaughlin was the No. 2 running back behind Harvey. And McLaughlin had six carries for 19 yards and a touchdown and one catch for minus-5 yards on one target. That was a tough matchup against the Chiefs, but the Commanders are No. 5 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Washington has also allowed a pair of teammates to score at least 10.5 PPR points in the same game twice this season, with Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in Week 4 and De'Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II in Week 11. Harvey should have a big game, but McLaughlin should help Fantasy managers as well in this matchup.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Week 13 Waiver Priority List
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McLaughlin should be considered the No. 2 running back for the Broncos moving forward behind RJ Harvey, and McLaughlin is worth adding for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAB. We had one game without J.K. Dobbins (foot) for Denver in Week 10 against Kansas City, and McLaughlin had six carries for 19 yards and a touchdown and one catch for minus-5 yards on one target. Harvey is the only Denver running back to consider starting for the foreseeable future, but McLaughlin is worth stashing on your bench. If Harvey were to miss any time, then McLaughlin would be considered at least a flex option in the majority of leagues.
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Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Week 12 Waiver Priority List
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J.K. Dobbins (foot) is out for the remainder of the regular season, and McLaughlin is now No. 2 on the depth chart behind RJ Harvey. In the first game without Dobbins in Week 11 against Kansas City, McLaughlin had six carries for 19 yards and a touchdown and one catch for minus-5 yards on one target. Harvey is the only Denver running back to consider starting for the foreseeable future, but McLaughlin is worth stashing in the majority of leagues for 1 percent of your remaining FAB. If Harvey were to miss any time then McLaughlin would be considered at least a flex option in the majority of leagues.
