The Cleveland Browns finally signed Quinshon Judkins to his rookie contract, but the running back still isn’t practicing.
Cleveland was hoping for Judkins to play in Week 2. But the rookie running back wasn’t at practice on September 10, according to coach Kevin Stefanski.
“I’m going to take it day by day,” Stefanski said. “He’s not here today, not practicing today, so I’ll really take that day by day. He’s not here today.”
Although Stefanski says Judkins wasn’t at practice, it was due to him meeting with the NFL, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
“#Browns RB Quinshon Judkins is in NYC today meeting with the NFL as part of its investigation under the personal conduct policy,” Rapoport wrote.
Judkins is meeting with the NFL over his legal issue, which has since been resolved. Judkins was arrested on charges of domestic assault and battery in July. However, a month later, all charges were dropped.
Despite all the charges being dropped, the NFL started to investigate the incident and is now meeting with Judkins to discuss the matter.
Judkins Not Ruled Out For Week 2
Although Judkins wasn’t at the facility or practicing on Sept. 10, the running back hasn’t been ruled out to play in Week 2.
Rapoport reported that Judkins is expected to practice on Thursday and Friday before the Browns determine his game status for Sunday.
“The plan is for Quinshon Judkins to practice tomorrow and Friday and determine his availability for Sunday at that point,” Rapoport wrote on X.
The Browns got a roster exemption for Judkins, meaning he can practice but isn’t on the 53-man roster. But if Cleveland wants the rookie running back to play in Week 2, the Browns would need to cut someone to add Judkins to the roster.
If Judkins does play on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, he would be a key part of the running game. In Week 1, Cleveland ran for just 49 yards, so Judkins could be a big boost to the ground game. He was expected to be the featured running back after the Browns selected him in the second round.
Cleveland is on the road to play the Ravens on Sept. 10.
Browns Coach Knows Run Game Needs to be Better
Cleveland struggled to run the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals, and Stefanski knows it has to improve.
Stefanski believes the Browns need the run game to be better if Cleveland is going to upset Baltimore this week.
“I mean, for us to play well, we have to be able to run the ball better than we did in Week 1,” Stefanski said. “We have to perform better as players. We have to give them a better plan.… It’s all the little things that add up to being a big thing when you talk about having rushing success.”
A key to improving the run game is getting Judkins back, which Stefanski isn’t ruling out.
“Obviously, he was here in the spring,” Stefanski said, “so he has a baseline and understanding of those type of things. We will work hard and have been working hard since he’s been back and getting him ready.”
The Browns are massive 11.5-point underdogs against the Ravens.
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