Quinshon Judkins remained unsigned for months after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns. But in Week 2, NFL fans could finally get their first glimpse of the running back.
Judkins, who was arrested in the offseason on charges of domestic assault and battery, no longer faces any formal charges. That led to him eventually signing his rookie deal with the Browns, and while it remains to be seen if the NFL will suspend the former Ohio State star, he's currently eligible to take the field.
Judkins did not play in Week 1 for Cleveland, but could he make his debut in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens?
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Here's what to know about Judkins' status for Sunday's game, as well as the latest on a potential suspension.
MORE: How a missed 36-yard field goal led to Browns' Week 1 loss
Is Quinshon Judkins playing this week?
The Browns officially signed Judkins on Sept. 6, opening up the possibility that he could play on Sunday against Baltimore. Judkins' status had been up in the air, but he is officially expected to play in Week 2.
On Thursday, Judkins was a full participant in Cleveland's practice after not practicing at all on Wednesday.
Browns listed rookie RB Quinshon Judkins as a full participant in today’s practice. pic.twitter.com/hh1p6ufUjP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 11, 2025
#Browns RB Quinshon Judkins runs through drills in the early part of practice: pic.twitter.com/YBA79winL2
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 11, 2025
The Browns would not initially clarify their plans for Judkins' status, but according to the Akron Beacon Journal, head coach Kevin Stefanski said Thursday the team is taking the running back's status "day by day." Stefanski would not say whether Judkins would play, but on Friday, the coach then said the team will "work through that through the next 24 hours" and that Judkins has "done everything we've asked him."
Judkins did not practice Wednesday because he was meeting with the NFL as part of its investigation into discipline for his offseason legal issues. Per the Akron Beacon Journal, the league granted the Browns a two-week roster exemption for Judkins before he has to be placed on the active roster.
Judkins also said Friday he's taking it "day by day" in terms of his Week 2 status.
#Browns RB Quinshon Judkins on returning to team, when he might play and more: pic.twitter.com/RlWVevJ9k1
— Ashley Bastock (@AshleyBastock42) September 12, 2025
On Saturday, the Browns then officially activated Judkins, meaning the rookie running back will make his NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
#Browns second-round RB Quinshon Judkins, listed as questionable, was officially activated for Sunday. He’ll make his debut. pic.twitter.com/NyDh4pD8Tq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 13, 2025
Ian Rapoport also reported that Judkins "will have his snaps closely monitored" in Week 2, with the expectation that he'll ramp up to starting-level snaps over time.
MORE: NFL power rankings entering Week 2
Will Quinshon Judkins be suspended?
When the Browns signed Judkins on Sept. 6, they were granted a two-week roster exemption for him before he has to be put on the active roster. And on Wednesday, Judkins reportedly met with the NFL about its investigation for his offseason legal troubles.
The NFL could still punish Judkins for violating its personal conduct policy. On Thursday, the Akron Beacon Journal reported that an NFL spokesperson declined to comment on its Judkins investigation, saying: “We will only have a comment when there is a resolution to the matter to announce. No timeline.”
Judkins was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on charges of domestic assault and battery on July 12. On Aug. 14, prosecutors declined to pursue Judkins' case, and it was announced that he would not face any formal charges.
Judkins' charges initially kept him from signing his rookie deal, and therefore from practicing with the Browns, until early September. The team had selected him in the second round of April's draft as a replacement for Nick Chubb.
There is no timetable for the NFL's potential verdict on Judkins' case, so for the time being, he's able to play. If the league rules in favor of a suspension later on, the Browns would be without the running back once again.
MORE: Breaking down the NFL's personal conduct policy
Browns RB depth chart
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Dylan Sampson |
| 2 | Jerome Ford |
| 3 | Raheim Sanders, Quinshon Judkins |
Cleveland's running back room is among the toughest in the NFL to figure out entering Week 2. Not only is the Judkins situation throwing a wrench into the outlook, but there's also been little clarity on where other players rank on the depth chart.
On the Browns' team website, Jerome Ford is listed as the RB1, Dylan Sampson as the RB2, while Raheim Sanders and Judkins are tied as the RB3. However, Cleveland's Week 1 game would suggest otherwise.
In a 17-16 loss to the Bengals, it was the rookie Sampson who saw a majority of the work out of the backfield, getting 20 touches (12 carries, eight receptions) to Ford's seven (six carries, one reception). Sanders then functioned as a goal line back, taking his three carries for three yards and a touchdown.
20 touches and 93 scrimmage yards for the youngest RB in the NFL in his professional debut!
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) September 10, 2025
Here's every touch for Cleveland Browns rookie Round 4 RB Dylan Sampson: pic.twitter.com/qMFFb0YghW
Raheim Sanders evens the score for the Browns
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
CINvsCLE on FOXhttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/dUvXJJkvvM
It remains to be seen if Sampson's dominance in the backfield was due to the Week 1 game script or if Cleveland will truly rely on him as its top back. But Judkins' status could still change everything, especially considering Rapoport's report that his snaps will initially be "closely monitored."
The expectation since the Browns drafted Judkins has been that he'd eventually become their feature running back, capable of three-down work as the starter. Over time, that should still be the case. Perhaps the offseason situation and his lack of practice have changed things for Judkins, but once he's fully in the fold and past the NFL's investigation, the rookie could still become the alpha on the depth chart.
For now, Sampson should be considered the leader of Cleveland's running back depth chart due to his Week 1 performance, with Ford a close second. Expect to see Judkins get more and more work as time goes on, though.
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