The Cleveland Browns offense needs a lot of help including RB Quinshon Judkins returning from a gruesome injury
The Cleveland Browns did pretty well with their 2025 rookie draft class. In fact, it might have saved GM Andrew Berry’s job as the head coach, Kevin Stefanaki, wasn’t so lucky after losing 26 games the past two seasons. Berry shocked everyone when he drafted not one, but two, quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft. Keeping with the theme of Cleveland’s draft, he also selected two running backs.
RELATED: GM ANDREW BERRY FACING MAJOR ROSTER CHALLENGES
Amidst the incoming draft class, Berry took UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger with the first pick in Round 2, and then three picks later nabbed RB Quinshon Judkins of Ohio State.
Judkins was having an exceptional season, although he had only eclipsed the 100-yard milestone just once, with 110 yards gained in the 21-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. He dislocated his ankle and suffered a fractured fibula in the Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The injuries ended his season.
It was reported on December 23rd that Judkins underwent successful surgery to repair the fractured fibula and ankle dislocation. Next up was rehab. The recovery time of this type of injury was expected to be between four to six months. That timeline would be June.
The video of his injury looked really bad. Even after a successful surgery, a prognosis for his return is always up to the doctor who treated Judkins.
June is not that far off. But now, there are reports of seeing Judkins still in a walking boot. On a recent episode of “The Tony Rizzo Show” on ESPN Cleveland, show host Tony Rizzo stated that an anonymous source recently spotted Q still in a heavy walking boot.
Which is a bit concerning. With his healing timeline, Judkins should be transitioning to his rehab, going into light mobility. With him not only in a boot, but a heavy boot, this leans more so that the ankle stability just isn’t where it needs to be. Running backs require the ability to cut and plant their foot/ankle to adjust and fly into another gear.
With the sighting of Judkins, Rizzo stated, “It’s not good” regarding his rehab.
Newly-hired head coach Todd Monken has had an offensive scheme of “power-spread,” which places a good emphasis on the running backs being able to be the bellcow. Will this medical pause make Judkins iffy for the opening weekend of games?
On the bench is fellow rookie Dylan Sampson, who was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year his senior season, along with Raheim Sanders. Jerome Ford is a free agent, along with Treyveon Williams. The team’s running back coaching position remains vacant.
Could the Browns offer Nick Chubb a one-year prove-it deal? He is currently a free agent after a one-year contract with the Houston Texans.
In 2025, Judkins had 230 carries for 827 yards and seven touchdowns in just 14 games. Sampson played in 15 games with two starts in place of Judkins and gained 175 yards on 65 carries with zero scores. With the Texans, Chubb had nine starts and played in 15 games, getting 122 carries and gaining 506 yards with three touchdowns.
Category: General Sports
