Things went from bad to worse for the Cleveland Browns in Week 8, as the team suffered a blowout loss to the New England Patriots and saw not one, but two rookie standouts leave the game with injuries.
Most seriously was an ankle injury suffered by rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger, which is going to sideline him for several weeks moving forward.
“#Browns LB Carson Schwesinger, one of the best rookies in a stellar class, is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain, source said,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on social media. “He’ll have an MRI, but those are typically 4-6 week injuries. He left the locker room in a boot.”
Schwesinger is potentially a candidate for the injured reserve list (IR), which opens up a roster spot for the team but requires the player in question to sit out for at least four weeks.
Carson Schwesinger Started Immediately in Place of Injured Browns Star Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
GettyLinebacker Carson Schwesinger of the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland found tremendous value in Schwesinger as the first pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft (No. 33 overall).
The linebacker stepped in right away as a starter, replacing injured Pro Bowler Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who suffered a neck injury during the middle of the 2024 campaign that will keep him out for all of 2025 and is threatening to end his career prematurely.
Schwesinger had tallied 59 total tackles, including four tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and one sack coming into Sunday’s game against the Patriots. He finished the afternoon with five more tackles and a pass breakup before exiting due to the injury.
Browns Rookie Running Back Quinshon Judkins Also Exited Game Against Patriots Early With Injury
GettyCleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins.
Schwesinger is among the leaders of a strong and vital rookie draft class in Cleveland, which also includes starting defensive tackle Mason Graham, starting tight end Harold Fannin Jr., starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, future starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders (based on Browns’ stated plans for the season) and starting running back Quinshon Judkins.
Graham and Fannin have also stood out this year, while Gabriel is learning the ropes through four starts and Sanders remains the most talked about fifth-round pick potentially in league history. But it’s been Judkins who has been the most important newcomer on offense, as he entered Week 8 with 467 yards and five touchdowns on the ground as well as nine receptions for 62 yards (six games played).
New England did a better job than any team to date shutting Judkins down, holding him to just 19 yards rushing on nine carries. He was able to haul in three catches, though he gained -2 yards on those plays collectively.
Judkins also left the contest early, departing in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. He was unable to return and his status for the team’s next game against the New York Jets on November 9 is unknown.
The silver lining to both injuries is that the Browns are heading into their bye week and have 14 days before their next outing. If Judkins is unable to go against New York, Cleveland will rely on veteran Jerome Ford and/or fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson.
Ford is in the final year of his contract, which potentially renders him a trade candidate, though Judkins’ injury could impact Ford’s status in the days to come.
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