Game week has arrived for the Cleveland Browns, but the team still has no clarity on when rookie running back Quinshon Judkins will be available.
Judkins remains the only unsigned rookie in the NFL, a convoluted situation for Cleveland after selecting him at No. 36 overall. He initially held out seeking a guaranteed deal, a stance taken by several early second-round picks. But his July arrest further complicated matters, even after prosecutors declined to pursue charges.
Judkins was arrested on July 12 and charged with misdemeanor domestic battery in connection with an alleged incident involving his girlfriend. Prosecutors said they dropped the case after reviewing police reports, body-camera footage, surveillance video, photos, phone records and the sworn statement of the woman he allegedly struck.
The league’s investigation into the matter remains open, leaving open the possibility of discipline. The Browns have not provided updates, and head coach Kevin Stefanski offered little when asked Monday.
“I don’t have an update,” Stefanski said.
Pressed on whether Judkins could suit up in Week 1 if he signs later this week, Stefanski declined to speculate.
“Yeah, I can’t get into that,” he said. “Hard to speculate.”
Browns Confident in RB Jerome Ford
With Judkins out of the mix, veteran Jerome Ford is expected to carry the load for the Browns. Ford has stepped up when needed previously, filling in for Nick Chubb the last two seasons.
He’s logged 18 starts, rushing for 1390 yards and seven touchdowns during his time in Cleveland. Ford has also snagged 81 receptions for 544 yards and six more touchdowns.
“He’s a player who makes big plays. He has the speed to go the distance on any given time he touches the rock,” Stefanski said. “He’s kick returned for us when he hadn’t done in the past and develop and worked hard at that and developed into a good returner. So, he’s a guy that we can trust in the run game, trust in the pass game and has that elite trait of speed.”
Ford was an afterthought this offseason for the Browns. He took a pay cut to remain in Cleveland after they added both Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the draft.
“I really don’t need (the starting job) for motivation,” Ford said. “I’m ready to go at the gate, treat every day and everything like my number’s going to be called and I’m just ready.”
Browns Signed RB Raheim Sanders
Ford, Sampson, and newly signed Raheim Sanders headline Cleveland’s running back group heading into Week 1. Sanders — an undrafted free agent who flashed with the Los Angeles Chargers during the preseason before being waived — showed enough potential to earn a claim from the Browns.
“Very intelligent kid. He’s picking everything up very quickly,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Duce (Staley) will be able to spend some extra time with him Monday to catch him up, but he’s very intelligent, so he’s working hard at it.”
Sanders played his college football at South Carolina and Arkansas. In 44 career college games, he rushed for 3,111 yards and 28 touchdowns.
The Browns open the regular season on Sunday at home against the Cincinnati Bengals, where establishing the run will be a key priority for the backfield.
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