Heading into the bye week here in Week 9 in the NFL, the Browns certainly had plenty of concerns and questions to answer after a flimsy 2-6 start has left them in an especially disappointing position heading into the second half of the season. But one of the concerns centered on the team’s brightest offensive spot of the first eight weeks of the season: rookie running back Quinshon Judkins.
After a red-hot start to his NFL career, in which the second-round pick averaged 77.8 yards per game rushing, he was stifled against the Patriots in the Week 8 loss leading into the bye, going for just 19 yards on nine carries. Worse, he played only 18 snaps–about half his usual output–because of a shoulder injury.
The team was vague about the injury, but left it as a day-to-day issue heading into the bye. On Monday, Judkins was at practice, and coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about his condition and whether he felt confident about Judkins’ health. “I do. I feel good about it,” he said.
Quinshon Judkins Ready for a Big Week 10?
The good news for the Browns coming out of the bye, of course, is that the schedule looks bright in Week 10. Cleveland is badly in need of a win, and though they’ve got to hit the road, the 1-7 Jets await. The Jets are also coming off their bye week, which was accompanied by their first win of the season, a 39-38 shocker over Cincinnati in which they scored 23 points in the fourth quarter.
Things toughen from there, but getting themselves to 3-6 would be a good start for the Browns. Judkins could be in for a big day, too–the Jets rank 26th in the NFL in rush yards allowed.
“As you know, it’s important that we focus on what’s in front of us,” Stefanski said. “Have a great opportunity this week, going to New York, and trying to play our best football. We have not played our best football, and that’s haven’t done it, as players, as coaches, offense, defense, special teams. We feel like there’s more for us to give, and that’s where we’re focused on.”
Browns Getting Cedric Tillman Back
The Browns have some other potentially good news on the horizon, too, as the team opened the practice window on receiver Cedric Tillman, who has been on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. The team’s receiving crew has struggled, though that may well be more of a function of the struggles of rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Tillman could return within the next three weeks.
The Browns could potentially trade for a receiver at Tuesday’s NFL deadline, but Stefanski said the team has enough at the receiver position when healthy.
“I like our guys,” he said. :I like the skill sets we have with that group. Obviously, Andrew (Berry) and our personnel department looks at everything and that’s no different than the other 31 teams. I think it’s important that you’re constantly looking around the league, but I like our guys.”
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