The Cleveland Browns took a tough hit on Sunday-not just in the scoreboard, but in the backfield. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who had been carving out a strong first-year campaign, suffered a significant leg injury late in the second quarter of the team’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. On Monday, the team confirmed that Judkins underwent successful surgery to repair a broken fibula and a dislocated right ankle.
The injury occurred with under two minutes remaining in the first half. On what looked like a routine tackle for a loss by Bills linebacker Matt Milano, Judkins went down awkwardly.
What started as a highlight for Buffalo quickly turned somber as Judkins remained on the ground, clearly in pain. Medical staff rushed out, and the rookie was eventually carted off the field-his season suddenly in question.
Initially, there was concern that Judkins might have torn his MCL or ACL-injuries that can derail not just a season, but a career trajectory. Fortunately, the damage was limited to his ankle and fibula, sparing his knee entirely. That’s a major break for both Judkins and the Browns, who’ve already dealt with their share of injuries this season.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke highly of Judkins’ character and resilience in the aftermath. “He’s a great teammate, runs hard, cares about the game, cares about the right things,” Stefanski said.
“I’m disappointed for him. He’s disappointed, but he’s not somebody that I worry about.”
That last part matters. Stefanski knows his rookie is built tough-not just physically, but mentally.
And that’s going to be key during the recovery process. The current timeline has Judkins sidelined for 4-5 months, which puts him on track to be ready for offseason activities and, barring setbacks, the start of training camp next year.
It’s a frustrating end to what had been a promising rookie season. Judkins was on pace to crack the 1,000-yard mark-a milestone that still means something in today’s pass-heavy NFL.
Instead, he’ll close the year with 827 rushing yards, over 200 carries, and seven touchdowns across 14 games. Not bad for a first-year back, especially one adjusting to the speed and physicality of the pro game.
The Browns will now have to adjust their offensive approach without one of their most dynamic young weapons. But the bigger picture here is encouraging: Judkins avoided catastrophic knee damage, the surgery was a success, and the timeline gives him a real shot at a full return in 2026. For a player who’s already shown he belongs in the league, that’s a win-even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.