Browns waive running back Audric Estime after 3 games

Audric Estime had one of the most important runs of the Browns' season to date. That wasn't enough to keep him around as their running back room regained its health.The Browns originally signed Estime on Oct. 13 off the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. Injuries to their top three running backs ― Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson and Raheim "Rocket" Sanders ― had left them with only Jaleel McLaughlin on the active roster at the time.Estime went out and provided 19 yards on nine carries in the Browns' 13-10 Week 6 win over the Baltimore Ravens. He scored the lone touchdown of the game for Cleveland, a two-yard game-tying touchdown with 8:33 remaining. Subscribe to Browns Insider newsletterPlayers signed off another team's practice squad are required to be on the active roster for three games minimum. Estime was inactive for the last two games, a win at the Tennessee Titans and the loss Nov. 1 at the Pittsburgh Steelers.Both Judkins and Sampson were back on the field for the Titans game. Judkins missed one game with an ankle injury suffered in Week 5 at the New York Jets, while Sampson had been on injured reserve since a knee injury in the season opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars.Sanders was placed on injured reserve the same day the Browns signed Estime with a hip injury suffered against the Jets. He still has another week before he's eligible to potentially return from injured reserve.Before coming to Cleveland, Estime, 23, had played in 20 career games after being a fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2024 out of Notre Dame. He played 13 games as a rookie for the Broncos in 2024, then seven for the New Orleans Saints in 2025.Estime has 527 career rushing yards and four touchdowns on 141 carries. He's also had 17 career receptions for 130 yards.Buy Cleveland Browns ticketsChris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns waive running back Audric Estime after 3 gamesOur editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.