It was not an ideal Week 1 for the Cleveland Browns. Despite being home underdogs, Kevin Stefanski‘s team had every chance to win their season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Instead, they made too many mistakes and lost by one point. Quarterback Joe Flacco was forced to throw the ball 45 times, which isn’t ideal.
He had to throw a lot due to the Browns’ running game struggling mightily. While that might be more indicative of a concerning offensive line, the team is hoping newly signed rookie Quinshon Judkins can fix it. Given his legal troubles and late start, no one is sure if Judkins will play in Week 2. Despite an update on Wednesday, everything is up in the air still.
Quinshon Judkins misses Browns practice to meet with NFL for investigation
Judkins was noted as being absent from practice on Wednesday, which triggered alarms. The reason for his absence came out shortly after, and no one knows yet if it’s good or bad news.
Judkins had to travel to New York on Wednesday to meet with the NFL as part of their investigation under the personal conduct policy. But as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports, Judkins is expected to be back at practice on Thursday and Friday.
Following those practices, Stefanski and the Browns coaching staff will determine his availability for Sunday’s game. Judkins was arrested in July for a domestic violence battery charge.
In Judkins’ absence, fellow rookie Dylan Sampson handled the bulk of the carries and receiving work out of the backfield. Jerome Ford struggled heavily on the ground, only gaining eight yards on six carries.
Joe Flacco remains Cleveland Browns starting quarterback for Week 2
While all of this happens, Shedeur Sanders continues waiting in the wings for his chance to take snaps as Cleveland’s signal-caller. Flacco’s Week 1 performance wasn’t great, but he wasn’t the reason Cleveland lost. Sanders still has to jump Dillon Gabriel on the depth chart anyway.
The Browns’ rookie class has gotten plenty of playing time early on, and that should only increase once Judkins is back. Whether he will be playing alongside a rookie quarterback – either Sanders or Gabriel – at some point this season remains to be seen.
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