The group of rookies has stepped up big time for the Cleveland Browns, with Quinshon Judkins perhaps standing out above the rest as the player who proved he can single-handedly change games with his offensive talent.
However, the season for the running back who arrived from Ohio State came to an abrupt end during the 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills – an injury that now puts his future NFL performance at risk.
A Tough Blow for the Cleveland Browns
Running back Quinshon Judkins took a brutal hit against Buffalo, and it was visibly painful as he lay on the field. Officially, the RB suffered an ankle dislocation and a fibula fracture.
The estimated recovery timeline is around five months, which would allow him to return for spring workouts next season.
Judkins had been one of the biggest surprises for the Browns, rushing 230 times for 827 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes for 142 yards, finishing just shy of 1,000 total yards from scrimmage.
In his rookie season, he eclipsed 100 rushing yards only once – against the Minnesota Vikings, where he posted a season-high 110 yards. Another standout performance came against the Miami Dolphins, with 84 yards and three touchdowns.
Judkins was a second-round pick in the NFL Draft but had to deal with a contract holdout due to a legal issue that caused him to miss the preseason and the season opener. Once he hit the field, though, his impact was immediate.
Now, Shedeur Sanders loses one of his most dangerous offensive weapons on the Browns’ offense heading into the final games of the season – where the rookie quarterback is essentially playing for his starting job. It remains to be seen whether Cleveland commits to him long-term or targets another quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft.
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