The Cleveland Browns have signed their 2025 second-round pick and running back Quinshon Judkins, but that does not mean he's going to take the field in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Judkins signed his four-year, $11.4 million rookie contract on Saturday, which is the first step to him getting on the field.
The delay in Judkins signing his rookie deal stemmed from his July arrest on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. However, the charge was ultimately dropped and Judkins is now free and clear from any legal issues.
That said, the rookie could still face a punishment from the league, so that's certainly something to keep an eye on moving forward.
For now, we're focused on Week 1 and if the Browns running back will play. Here's what we know about that.
Is Quinshon Judkins playing today?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Judkins is likely to make his debut in the Week 2 game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins is scheduled to meet with the NFL this week about its investigation, but there is a real possibility, and even likelihood according to one source, that he will make his NFL debut next Sunday at Baltimore.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2025
END OF UPDATE
It has yet to be confirmed whether or not Judkins will play in Week 1.
What we do know, according to Pro Football Talk, is that that there is currently no plan for Judkins to be placed on the Commissioner's Exempt list, although the league is expected to interview Judkins this week as part of its investigation.
We can make an educated guess that Judkins is not going to play.
After all, he missed all of training camp and the preseason and a rookie stepping onto the field immediately following that kind of offseason is rare. If he does ultimately play, chances are he's going to be extremely limited.
If Judkins doesn't suit up, the Browns will deploy veteran Jerome Ford as the lead back, with rookie and fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson also chipping in.
The Browns will open up their season at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland on Sunday versus the Bengals, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.
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