Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski won't have Quinshon Judkins against the Bengals in Week 1.
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Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski won't have Quinshon Judkins against the Bengals in Week 1.
Quinshon Judkins is officially a member of the Cleveland Browns but he won’t be seeing the field in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. And fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders will be the Browns’ emergency QB.
The Browns announced Sanders will be the QB3, while defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., guard Zak Zinter, offensive tackle KT Leveston and WR Gage Larvadain will be inactive.
The Browns have officially ruled Judkins out for the opener, a decision that had been expected. After a prolonged and complicated negotiation, Judkins signed with Cleveland on Saturday.
The team is expected to be granted a temporary roster exemption that could last up to two weeks, though the Browns do not have to use the full window. If Judkins gets up to speed quickly, he could make his debut in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns did not need to cut a player to finalize his signing.
The NFL is still investigating an off-field incident involving Judkins this offseason. He was arrested on July 12 on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge involving his girlfriend. Prosecutors later declined to pursue charges, but the league could still suspend Judkins. He’s expected to meet with NFL officials next week.
Cleveland drafted Judkins No. 36 overall to be their bell-cow back. In his absence, veteran Jerome Ford, fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson and newcomer Raheim Sanders will carry the load.
Cleveland previously ruled out defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., who is still working his way back from a knee injury he sustained in the final game last season.
Browns superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett created a stir when he missed practice on Thursday with a hip injury. However, the former Defensive Player of the Year will be a full-go against the Bengals.
Browns Hefty Home Underdog Against Bengals
The Browns open the season as 5.5-point home underdogs to the Bengals. Expectations are high for Cincinnati, but Zac Taylor’s teams have a history of sluggish starts. In six seasons under Taylor, Cincinnati has managed just one combined win in Weeks 1 and 2 — the worst record in the NFL during that span.
The AFC North rivals last faced off in the opener in 2023. The Browns won that game 23-10, torturing Joe Burrow and the Bengals with stifling defense. Burrow recorded just 82 passing yards in that loss, the lowest total of his career.
When: Sunday, Sept. 7 | Time: 1 p.m. ET
Where: Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland, Ohio)
Odds: Bengals -5.5 | OU 47.5 points
Joe Flacco Draws Start for Browns
Starting for the Browns at quarterback will be 40-year-old Joe Flacco. The former Super Bowl MVP won the job during training camp. Flacco — the No. 18 overall pick in 2008 — is heading into his 18th NFL season.
“I don’t think I’ve ever given it too much thought about whether I could play at a certain age or not. It’s just I still feel like I can play, and I don’t even look at it as I still feel like I can,” Flacco said. “This is what I do.”
Rookie Dillon Gabriel will serve as the primary backup to Flacco. Shedeur Sanders will be the No. 3 emergency quarterback for Cleveland.
Game Day Chatter: Denzel Ward & Ja’Marr Chase
A matchup to watch will be on the outside, with Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward going up against All-Pro pass-catcher Ja’Marr Chase. Both stars had some memorable quotes this week leading up to the matchup.
Ward said he wants to see the ball come his way a lot during the matchup, saying he might even text Burrow to let him know.
“I like making plays on the ball and being a factor in a game. I’m looking forward to going into the game, and hopefully they target me a lot,” Ward said. “I’m going to send Joe Burrow some texts, tell him throw at me and go from there.”
Chase has a history of poking fun at the Browns. Don’t expect to see him jumping into the Dawg Pound if he scores a touchdown.
“I always wanted to jump in the Dawg Pound. I never did that, but I’ve always wanted to,” Chase said. “I wouldn’t do it, I heard they stabbed people in there.”
Browns Game Day Reads
• Browns RB Quinshon Judkins Gets Update on Suspension
• Browns QB Shedeur Sanders Contract Rumor Called Out Ahead of Opener
• Browns Hall of Famer Joe Thomas Fires Back at Johnny Manziel
• Browns QB Dillon Gabriel’s Fiancée Turns Heads With 5-Word Message