Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns played without rookie running back Quinshon Judkins on Sunday.
Getty Images
Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns played without rookie running back Quinshon Judkins on Sunday.
The Cleveland Browns were not eager to talk about Quinshon Judkins following a 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
The Browns put themselves in a position to score an upset in the opener. However, a series of key miscues in the second half doomed Cleveland.
The Browns were unable to get anything going on the ground. Cleveland had just 49 yards rushing in the game, averaging a paltry 2.0 yards per rush. The team’s longest rush of the afternoon was just five yards.
With Judkins sidelined, Cleveland’s backfield is not at full strength. The former Ohio State and Ole Miss standout finally signed with the Browns on Saturday after an extended holdout that was complicated by his off-field troubles.
Judkins will be a large part of the ground game when he makes his debut. However, Browns skipper Kevin Stefanski didn’t want to address what kind of impact Judkins might have had against the Bengals.
“Not on my mind,” Stefanski said when asked about Judkins.
Browns See Bell-Cow Potential in Quinshon Judkins
The Browns selected Judkins in the second round with pick No. 36 overall. Cleveland did so, knowing they were moving on from Nick Chubb, a fan-favorite and four-time Pro Bowler. General manager Andrew Berry said after selecting Judkins that he sees “bell cow” potential in the rookie.
“We feel like he’s just a very well-rounded back,” Berry said. “We’ve obviously been spoiled over the past couple of years, particularly with Nick and Kareem (Hunt). And we feel like he is very much in that mold in terms of skill set. Not necessarily saying that he’s going to, with certainty, develop into one of those players. We certainly hope that’s the case. But we think that he can be a bell cow runner that can really carry the load for us.”
Judkins was a big producer during his college career, first at Ole Miss and then at Ohio State. He rushed for 3,785 yards and 45 touchdowns over three college seasons.
Dylan Sampson Shines for Browns
The Browns other rookie running back, Dylan Sampson, did play against the Bengals and made a big impact. Sampson led the Browns in carries (12) and catches (8). He collected 94 total yards on those touches.
“He’s a guy that we’re counting on. We trust him,” Stefanski said. “I know he’s a rookie, but he’s very mature. He’s very intelligent. Doesn’t carry himself like a rookie. He’s a good football player, we’re going to need him.”
Sampson will likely continue to be a big part of the game plan, even after Judkins returns, which could come next week. But Stefanski did acknowledge the ground game needs to be more consistent.
“I think we left some yards out there in the run game. I think we can absolutely be better in the run game,” Stefanski said. “So that would be a point of emphasis for us. There are some things that we can help our guys with as coaches, but ultimately, I think that we certainly can be better.”
The Browns will face one of the best offenses in the league next week as they head to Baltimore to see Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Ravens.