Browns Rumor: Quinshon Judkins Could Get a “Dozen” Carries in Week 2?

Browns News

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is on track to make his NFL debut on Sunday against Baltimore, giving Cleveland an option to revive a stalled ground game in Week 2, potentially. The Browns activated Judkins to the 53-man roster on Saturday after he signed his rookie deal last week and rejoined practice. He was listed as questionable on Friday, but participated late in the week and traveled with the team. The matchup is set for Sunday, Sept. 14, at M&T Bank Stadium.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com speculates that Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins will “get about a dozen carries” in his NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Cleveland enters the game at 0-1 after a 17-16 home loss to Cincinnati in Week 1. The run game produced just 49 yards on 24 carries, a 2.0 average.

Rookie Dylan Sampson led the team with 12 carries for 29 yards. Jerome Ford added 6 carries for 8 yards. Fellow rookie Raheim Sanders scored Cleveland’s lone rushing touchdown on three carries for 3 yards. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said the staff would use the final 24 hours before the game to decide how to deploy Judkins, but the rookie’s late-week participation positioned him to play a role.

Judkins missed training camp and the preseason while his contract and league matters were resolved, then joined practice for the first time since minicamp in the days leading up to Week 2. That timeline makes it difficult to predict his exact workload, but a committee remains likely. The Browns listed Ford and Sampson atop the depth chart entering the week, and Sanders has already been mixed in on short yardage. Judkins’ arrival gives running backs coach Stump Mitchell another option to chase early-down efficiency that was absent in the opener.

The Ravens, 0-1 after a one-point road loss in Week 1, present a physical test. Baltimore’s front under coordinator Zach Orr typically closes interior lanes and forces backs to win after contact. Cleveland’s offensive line combination and personnel groupings will be worth watching. The Browns leaned heavily on tight end David Njoku’s usage and moved the ball through the air with Joe Flacco in the opener, but the staff has emphasized a better run balance for Week 2.

If Judkins is active, early touches could come on scripted series and red zone opportunities where his power and vision fit. Cleveland could also use him on downhill gap concepts to simplify reads in his first game action, while Sampson and Ford handle passing downs and two-minute situations. Special teams participation would be another indicator of how comfortable the staff is with his conditioning.

Fantasy managers looking for immediate clarity may have to wait until inactives are released and the first two Browns possessions play out. A narrow split with 8 to 12 touches for Judkins is plausible in a debut scenario, but the ultimate distribution will reflect in-game performance and Baltimore’s adjustments. What is clear is Cleveland’s need for more consistent early-down gains and fewer long-yardage third downs after Week 1.