The Cleveland Browns’ 2025 rookie class turned out to be more than just a youth infusion-it may have been the lifeline that kept GM Andrew Berry in the building. While head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t survive back-to-back losing seasons, Berry’s bold moves in the draft, including the rare decision to take two quarterbacks and two running backs, signaled a front office swinging for the fences.
Among those picks, one name stood out early: Quinshon Judkins, the bruising back out of Ohio State. Taken just three picks after the Browns grabbed UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger in Round 2, Judkins was expected to be a key piece in reshaping Cleveland’s offense. And for a while, he looked the part.
Judkins didn’t light up the stat sheet every week, but when he was on, he was tough to stop. His best outing came in Week 5 against the Vikings, when he racked up 110 yards in a tight 21-17 loss. That was his only 100-yard game of the season, but his physical running style and ability to pick up tough yards between the tackles gave Cleveland a much-needed edge in the ground game.
Then came Week 16-and everything changed.
In a loss to the Buffalo Bills, Judkins suffered a brutal injury: a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula. It was the kind of injury that makes you wince even on replay.
Surgery followed just before Christmas, and the early word was optimistic. The expected recovery window?
Four to six months. That put a potential return right around June-cutting it close, but still within reach for training camp.
But here’s where things start to get murky.
Recently, reports surfaced that Judkins was still in a walking boot-specifically, a heavy one. That’s not what you want to hear in February, not if the original timeline had him transitioning into rehab and mobility work by now. On ESPN Cleveland’s “The Tony Rizzo Show,” host Tony Rizzo mentioned that a source spotted Judkins still wearing the boot, and Rizzo didn’t mince words: “It’s not good.”
And he might be right to sound the alarm.
For a running back, ankle stability isn’t just important-it’s everything. Cutting, planting, exploding through holes-none of it works if the ankle isn’t rock solid.
The fact that Judkins is still boot-bound suggests his recovery might not be going as smoothly as hoped. That doesn’t mean he’s out for Week 1, but it certainly casts doubt on whether he’ll be full-go when the Browns open the season.
That’s especially relevant given the arrival of new head coach Todd Monken, whose “power-spread” offense leans heavily on backs who can carry the load. Monken’s system thrives when the running back is a true bellcow-someone who can handle 20+ touches a game and keep defenses honest.
Judkins was drafted to be that guy. But if he’s not ready, Cleveland will need answers.
The good news? They’ve got some options-though none come without question marks.
Fellow rookie Dylan Sampson, who earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors in college, saw limited action in 2025. He played in 15 games and started two when Judkins went down, finishing with 175 yards on 65 carries. Solid effort, but the lack of touchdowns and explosive plays left something to be desired.
Raheim Sanders is also in the mix, while Jerome Ford and Treyveon Williams are both pending free agents. The running backs coach position remains unfilled, which only adds more uncertainty to the room.
And then there’s the wild card: Nick Chubb.
After a one-year stint with the Houston Texans, Chubb is once again a free agent. He played in 15 games, started nine, and put up 506 yards and three touchdowns on 122 carries.
Not vintage Chubb, but considering the injury he was coming back from, it was a respectable campaign. Could the Browns bring him back on a one-year “prove-it” deal?
The door’s not closed, and if Judkins isn’t ready, it might be a conversation worth having.
For now, all eyes are on Judkins and that walking boot. June may still be the target, but as we’ve seen time and time again in the NFL, timelines can shift-and so can depth charts.
The Browns invested heavily in their 2025 draft class. Whether that investment pays off in the backfield may hinge on how quickly Judkins can get back to full speed.