The Cleveland Browns‘ Week 16 game against the Buffalo Bills shifted dramatically late in the first half, when rookie running back Quinshon Judkins suffered a broken leg that ended his season and cast a shadow over an otherwise competitive showing.
Cleveland ultimately fell 23-20, but the loss of Judkins proved far more significant than the final score.
Before the injury, the Browns were outperforming expectations. Judkins, the former Ohio State standout, was a key reason why. Over the first 28 minutes, he produced 51 scrimmage yards on 13 touches and picked up two first downs, giving Cleveland balance and keeping Buffalo‘s defense honest. His presence allowed the Browns to sustain drives and avoid playing from behind early.
That momentum disappeared on the first play after the two-minute warning. Judkins went down with a broken leg, immediately ending his rookie campaign. Teammates gathered nearby as medical staff attended to him, and the tone of the game shifted almost instantly.
“It really hurt when Quinshon went down,” Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders said after the game. “Me and Quinshon were in the room yesterday just talking at like 11-11:30 pm. Just about everything, about life and everything.”
Sanders described the moment as “definitely sad,” a reflection of how quickly relationships form when young players are navigating the same challenges together.
Sanders plays through injury to avoid putting teammate in tough spot
Judkins was not the only Browns rookie to suffer a scare. Just minutes before the running back’s injury, Sanders left the game after the tip of his right pinky finger was visibly shredded on a play. The injury was serious enough to send him to the locker room before halftime, raising concerns about whether he would return.
Sanders did come back, later explaining that his decision was driven by concern for fellow rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who would have been forced into action with little preparation.
“It kind of went high, and then it was like a ding,” Sanders noted. “And I tried everything to come back as soon as possible because I didn’t want to put Dillon in a bad situation like I was in, too. It’s tough. It’s tough to play that role because you don’t get reps, you don’t get anything. I was talking to him, and I said, ‘My bad, bro, for putting you in that situation.’ Because it’s not ideal. I want him to be prepared whenever he is out there.”
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