Sixteen days ago, he wasn’t even on the team. On Sunday, rookie running back Quinshon Judkins made a major contribution to the Browns’ first win of the season.

In his first start, Judkins participated in 36 snaps. He had 19 touches. His 18 rushing attempts generated 94 yards, including Cleveland’s only touchdown of the day.

And look for more from Judkins in the coming games. “He’s a volume runner,” coach Kevin Stefanski said after the 13-10 stunner over the Packers. “Knew that he gets better with touches. He gets his first touchdown, which I’m excited for him, but he’s only going to get better.”

Related players: Dylan Sampson, Jerome Ford

Judkins continues to be under investigation by the league, resulting from a July 2025 domestic violence accusation for which he was arrested but not charged, the story said. It added, depending on the outcome of the probe, Judkins could face a suspension. Stefanski's comments seem to make it clear Judkins in the team's RB1. The numbers suggest it as well as Sampson was the only other back to get a carry, and he had just one. Judkins did have a catch while Ford caught four balls.

Browns unofficial depth chart. Quinshon Judkins now listed as starting RB.

Related players: Jerome Ford, Dylan Sampson

The Browns pretty much used a three-headed monster at RB in Week 2. Judkins had 10 carries for 61 yards and added three catches for 10. Ford had six carries and five catches while Sampson had four rushes and three catches, one of which was a touchdown. Judkins should be the safest play of the three heading into Week 3, which is a tough matchup against the Packers. However, it looks like Ford and Sampson could still be involved, but also look like much riskier fantasy plays.

Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is expected to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Ravens.

Judkins signed his rookie contract just last week after his pending charges for misdemeanor domestic violence and battery were dropped. His NFL investigation is still ongoing and he met with the league on Wednesday. He practiced Thursday for the first time since signing his contract. He’s unlikely to be thrust into a big role right away, so expect Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson to continue seeing work, particularly Sampson after he caught eight passes in Week 1 against the Bengals.

Quinshon Judkins is officially questionable for Week 2.

Related Players: Dylan Sampson, Jerome Ford

So it's still up in the air whether the second-round rookie will actually be taking the field here in Week 2, so the backfield's fantasy value is still very much in the air. After Sampson's eight-catch performance during the opening weekend, he should shoot up into high-end RB3 territory without Judkins, but becomes slightly less valuable if he's splitting with both his fellow rookie and Jerome Ford.

Browns listed rookie RB Quinshon Judkins as a full participant in today’s practice.

Related Players: Dylan Sampson, Jerome Ford

It still hasn't been verified whether the second-round rookie will actually be taking the field here in Week 2, so the backfield's fantasy value is still very much in the air. After Sampson's eight-catch performance during the opening weekend, he should shoot up into high-end RB3 territory without Judkins, but becomes slightly less valuable if he's splitting with both his fellow rookie and Jerome Ford.

Second-round pick Quinshon Judkins will be back at practice this week for the Browns after signing his rookie contract Sept. 6. Whether or not the running back will be able to play in Cleveland's next game at the Baltimore Ravens is something yet to be determined.

"We'll see," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on a Zoom call Sept. 8, a day after the season-opening 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. "Gotta get through the week of practice. But I don't know."

Related players: Dylan Sampson, Jerome Ford, Raheim Sanders

The story said the league is investigating the domestic violence arrest in July — which the Broward County State Attorney's Office elected to not pursue charges on in August — and that will include an interview with Judkins at some point this week. The story added the last time Judkins went through workouts with the Browns was June, so he will need to get to the point where he is capable of contributing. This will be worth monitoring as the week goes on. Sampson, Ford and Sanders all saw work in Week 1, with Sampson collecting eight catches while Sanders scored a touchdown.

The Browns are signing second-round rookie running back Quinshon Judkins to a four-year contract worth $11.4 million, fully guaranteed.

After a whirlwind offseason involving Judkins, all 257 draft picks are now signed. Judkins was arrested during the offseason on a misdemeanor battery charge. On August 14, those charges were dropped as the Broward County State Attorney’s Office decided not go forward with the charges. The NFL investigation is still ongoing. Judkins can now finally practice after missing all of the preseason. He clearly won’t play Sunday against the Bengals, leaving Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson to lead the charge. Depending on how he practices next week, he could play in Week 2 against the Ravens.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com believes Quinshon Judkins will return to the team soon.

"I believe Judkins will be back with the Browns soon, possibly even sometime this week as they prepare for the Bengals."

Related players: Dylan Sampson, Jerome Ford

Judkins, of course, was dealing with domestic violence and battery charges that were eventually dropped, but the NFL is still weighing potential punishment. Kabot even said if he makes it back early enough, he could contribute some in the opener. It's hard to imagine Judkins would get a heavy workload, but his return for fantasy is at least good news for owners who took a chance on him. It does muddy the waters with Sampson and Ford also in the picture in the backfield, but given Judkins draft capital, one would think he'd be poised to lead the way in the backfield once he's up to speed.

Yes, Browns running back Quinshon Judkins could still be suspended, even though he won’t face criminal charges arising from recent allegations of domestic violence.

Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the Browns and the 36th overall pick in the 2025 draft have yet to reach an agreement. They possibly won’t until the NFL has concluded its internal investigation.

Related players: Dylan Sampson, Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong Jr.

This implies that an investigation will happen, which is normal practice even when criminal charges aren’t pursued, the story said. The other complicating factor is that Judkins is in line for a fully-guaranteed contract, according to the story. The story added, Judkins’s only leverage at this point is to sit out the season and re-enter the draft. The story went to ponder, if he doesn’t sign a contract until next year, would any suspension be served based on games missed this year. From a fantasy standpoint, those who drafted Sampson look like they may profit off this situation, especially if Judkins opts to sit out and re-enter the draft. Ford would likely be a big contributor in the offense as well, assuming Judkins isn't a part of it.

Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins will not face any formal charges, as prosecutors have declined to move forward with the case.

This clears the way for him to return to the team, and I’m told that should likely happen in the near future.

Related Players: Jerome Ford, Dylan Sampson

This is huge news, but doesn't necessarily mean he will completely avoid league discipline. He's got some ground to make up, but this is at least moving in the right direction to get him on the field for the regular season. Sampson is still probably who we should be leaning toward for touches in the early going, with Judkins a borderline RB3 option once he gets up to speed.