Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins will undergo surgery after a dislocated right ankle and broken fibula sustained during the second quarter of Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills, ending his season.
Season-Ending Injury in 23-20 Loss
Judkins suffered the injury early in the second quarter after catching a swing pass from Shedeur Sanders on a second-and-6 at the Browns 44-yard line. Bills linebacker Matt Milano hit him low at the 38 for a 6-yard loss, causing Judkins to roll over in pain. Officials initially ruled that Judkins had fumbled the ball and Buffalo linebacker Terrel Bernard ran it back for a touchdown, but replay reversed the call to Judkins down by contact. The rookie was carted off with an air cast, and with 1:57 remaining in the first half, the Browns confirmed the season-ending injury.
Immediate Reactions from Coach and Teammates
Coach Kevin Stefanski expressed disappointment but confidence in the player’s resilience: “Q’s been incredible, so I’m disappointed for him,” he said after the game. “He’s disappointed, but he’s not somebody that I worry about. He’ll bounce back.”
Shedeur Sanders reflected on the moment in a long quote: > “Yeah, well, it really hurt that Quinshon went down. Me and Quinshon was in the room talking yesterday till like 11-11:30, just like about life, just about everything,” he said. “It was definitely sad because I’m like, backside, I can’t throw this slant. They’re covering it, you know, they ain’t like, I can’t throw this slant. He’s heavy inside. So, yeah, so that was my only option, you know, that was my option with throwing it. So I feel bad because I threw it, you know? But, yeah, truthfully, yeah, it hurts. It hurts.”
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio added, “He loves football, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was back for the start of next season. He’ll attack this the best he can.”
Wide receiver and teammate David Fannin offered a supportive perspective: “Very difficult to see. He plays a key role in our offense. Q, he’s a dog, so I know he’s going to battle through it,” he said.
Judkins’ Impact and Statistics
Before the injury, Judkins had eight carries for 22 yards and five receptions for 29 yards. He finished the season with 827 rushing yards, the fifth-most by a rookie in franchise history. The second-round pick from Ohio State led NFL rookies in rushing and tied for first with seven touchdown runs.
The Browns are on track to become the second team in NFL history to have rookies lead the team in pass attempts (Dillon Gabriel), carries (Judkins) and receptions (Fannin). Fannin also scored both of the Browns’ touchdowns in the game.
Roster and Record Context
The 23-20 loss left the Browns at 3-12 for the season. The injury occurred with 1:57 remaining in the first half, underscoring the impact of losing a key offensive contributor early in the game.
Off-Field Background and Preseason Absence
Judkins missed the entire preseason after he was accused of domestic violence in Florida in July. Prosecutors declined to pursue a case following a state attorney’s office investigation that found inconsistencies in the accuser’s story. He did not report to the Browns until after the first game against Cincinnati on September 7.
Surgery and Recovery Outlook
Judkins will undergo surgery to repair the dislocated ankle and broken fibula. While the exact recovery timeline is not specified, coach Stefanski’s remarks suggest that the player will work hard to return to play.
Key Takeaways
- Quinshon Judkins will have surgery after a dislocated ankle and broken fibula in a 23-20 loss to the Bills.
- The injury ended his rookie season, after 827 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
- The Browns are the second NFL team to have rookies lead in pass attempts, carries and receptions.
The Browns’ season will now continue without one of their most productive rookie contributors, and the team will focus on building depth at the running back position while Judkins recovers from his season-ending injury.
