Quinshon Judkins #10 of the Cleveland Browns
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Quinshon Judkins #10 of the Cleveland Browns
If there is one area of the Cleveland Browns offense that is pretty well situated heading into the 2026 season, it would be the running backs. The Browns appear to have hit on Ohio State rookie Quinshon Judkins in the second round of last season’s draft, as he went for 827 yards and seven touchdowns last season behind a much-depleted line before his year was ended with a hard-to-watch dislocated ankle and fractured fibula suffered in Week 16 against Buffalo.
The injury to Judkins was bad enough, in fact, that the CBS broadcast did not show the replay. Judkins had been attempting to make a catch coming out of the backfield when he got hurt.
Back on December 23 , the team announced that Judkins had undergone surgery and outlined the plan for recovery. It was projected that the ankle would need a four-to-six-month recovery period, and now, it seems, general manager Andrew Berry is optimistic that Judkins will be ready on the early part of that timeline.
Browns Hope Quinshon Judkins Back for OTAs
Berry met with Browns reporters in Arizona on Sunday to talk about the state of the team after what was a very well-focused offseason, in which the team rebuilt the offensive line. The Browns traded for tackle Tytus Howard, signed guard Zion Johnson and also signed center/guard Elgton Jenkins.
That should be of benefit to Judkins, of course, but so would getting himself back onto the field for the team’s OTA’s in two months.
Zac Jackson of The Athletic wrote on Twitter/X: “Berry gave a brief but positive update on Quinshon Judkins’ injury rehab and said he’s hopeful Judkins will be on the field “in some form or fashion” this spring. On the OL, it’s Howard at RT, Johnson at LG and “TBD” everywhere else including with Elgton Jenkins.”
Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson Solidify RB Room
In addition to Judkins, the Browns also picked Dylan Sampson in last year’s draft, in the fourth round. He showed the makings of a good backup and a weapon who can be used as a receiver out of the backfield.
Earlier in the month, offensive coordinator Travis Switzer met with reporters and said, “(Judkins) was somebody that well before I came here, you know, being in the AFC North for nine years, I mean, you get some crossover tape where the Browns show up. And as soon as he started bursting onto the scene, I’m like, ‘Man, who’s this guy?’ So very excited about him, (Dylan) Sampson as well. I think we have a lot of really good talent in the running back room.”
Browns Comment on Myles Garrett
Of course, the biggest subject that Berry hit on in his meeting with reporters was the status of star defensive pass-rusher Myles Garrett, whose contract was tweaked last week in a change that was widely seem as paving the way for the Browns to make it easier to trade Garrett. But Berry was insistent that Garrett is going nowhere.
“I don’t comment on player contracts,” Berry said. “I guess probably the easiest thing to say is, if we wanted to trade Myles, we wouldn’t need to make a contract adjustment, so it doesn’t have anything to do with that. I understand the question and the interest, but it’s just something that we’ve always felt not to comment on player contracts or contract management strategies.”