Quinshon Judkins Contract Breakthrough? Latest Browns Update on Rookie RB’s Suspension & Week 1 Return

The Cleveland Browns’ most talked-about mystery heading into Week 1 is rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. Just days before the opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, Judkins remains unsigned and could also be facing a short NFLPA-imposed suspension tied to his July 12 misdemeanor domestic-battery arrest. A CLOUD OF UNCERTAINTY Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters he is “leaving the door open” for Judkins to suit up if a contract gets hammered out before Sunday, but the coach stopped short of guaranteeing availability. The Browns have declined to clarify whether league discipline is imminent, a silence that has fueled speculation among fans and local media alike. DEPTH-CHART DOMINOES With Nick Chubb still rehabbing his ACL and Jerome Ford penciled in as the temporary starter, Cleveland’s backfield could suddenly look thin if Judkins is unavailable. The coaching staff elevated rookie change-of-pace back Dylan Sampson to first-team reps in practice, signaling that Sampson may carve out early-season touches. According to a Heavy.com report, the organization “remains confident” in Ford and believes Judkins will “eventually become a key rotational piece once legal and contractual hurdles are cleared”. CONTRACT STICKING POINTS League sources say the holdup centers on offset language and guaranteed money in the four-year rookie deal. Because Judkins was drafted 42nd overall, his slot is valued at roughly $11.2 million, but the arrest has complicated risk assessments on both sides. If the Browns place Judkins on the Commissioner’s Exempt List or he is suspended under the Personal Conduct Policy, portions of that guarantee could void, giving the front office extra leverage. FANTASY AND BETTING IMPACT Fantasy managers who drafted Judkins as a late-round lottery ticket may need contingency plans for Week 1, while sports-books have already shifted Cleveland’s rushing-yardage props toward Jerome Ford. Should Judkins sign and avoid a multi-game suspension, his explosive, one-cut running style could make him an instant red-zone weapon; he posted 30 touchdowns in two collegiate seasons at Ole Miss and Ohio State. WHAT’S NEXT? • Friday: Practice participation report will reveal whether Judkins is even eligible to take the field. • Saturday: Roster moves must be finalized by 4 p.m. ET; expect a contract resolution or an exempt-list decision. • Sunday: Browns vs. Bengals kickoff at 1 p.m. ET—either the Judkins saga pauses, or it officially begins. BOTTOM LINE The “Judkins Browns” storyline is dominating Cleveland’s September headlines because it intertwines off-field legal trouble, a contract standoff, and critical roster implications just as the Browns chase an AFC North crown. Until the rookie signs—and the NFL clarifies disciplinary action—the Browns’ backfield will remain one of the league’s most fluid depth charts and a magnet for search-engine traffic all season long.