Browns activate RB Audric Estime, shuffle backfield and receiver depth

The Cleveland Browns addressed multiple spots along their offensive depth chart on Oct. 13, signing running back Audric Estime to the active roster. The move comes as part of a broader set of transactions that includes placing Raheim Sanders on injured reserve, adding tight end Devin Culp and offensive lineman Vershon Lee to the practice squad, and releasing cornerback Myles Bryant and wide receiver James Proche II from the practice squad.

Estime’s activation marks a direct path to the Browns’ weekly roster. According to the team, he was signed from Minnesota’s practice squad to Cleveland’s active roster. For a position room that can face volatility from injuries and game-to-game usage, bringing in a back from another NFL team’s practice environment typically indicates the Browns want a fresh look at run-game and pass-protection needs right away.

The roster shift is also tied to the Browns’ backfield situation. Cleveland placed Raheim Sanders (hip) on injured reserve. The designation removes Sanders from the active lineup for the time being while freeing a roster spot for Estime. The team did not outline additional timelines in its transaction release, so the immediate impact is depth and rotation rather than a defined return date.

Beyond the backfield, the Browns made changes that affect how they build practice-week readiness. They signed tight end Devin Culp and offensive lineman Vershon Lee to the practice squad. Those moves can be read as incremental reinforcement, especially for positions where weekly game plans require specialized reps and where coaches often prioritize development and scheme familiarity over immediate game action.

Cleveland also made room by releasing two players from the practice squad. The Browns released cornerback Myles Bryant and wide receiver James Proche II. Practice-squad turnover is common in-season, but the timing here suggests the team is aligning personnel with what it expects to prioritize in upcoming practices, including coverage matchups and third-down skill-set options.

From a football operations perspective, this cluster of moves tightens the Browns’ active-run-game options while balancing practice resources. Estime’s elevation provides a new active-body at running back, and Sanders’ injured reserve placement clarifies that Cleveland’s current backfield rotations will rely on other options until further notice. Meanwhile, the Culp and Lee practice-squad additions indicate the Browns are continuing to stock roles that can support the offense and protect the offensive line depth pipeline.

The key question now is how the Browns incorporate Estime into their week-to-week personnel usage. With Sanders sidelined, the active roster has a clearer need for both run-game carries and situational snaps. The next watch items are how Cleveland distributes touches among its remaining backs and whether the practice-squad newcomers Culp and Lee become available in future elevations as the season progresses.