The Browns’ backfield is looking thinner than a politician’s promise! With rookie Quinshon Judkins’ debut still up in the air due to legal and league review, the team is scrambling for solutions. Will their recent waiver wire additions be enough to steady the ship before opening day, or is more drama on the horizon?
The Cleveland Browns are currently navigating a challenging landscape within their running back corps, facing significant depth and experience concerns as they eagerly await the arrival and clarification of rookie Quinshon Judkins’ status for the upcoming NFL season. This pivotal position, essential for offensive balance and sustained drives, is presently in a state of flux due to a combination of roster limitations and ongoing off-field uncertainties surrounding their highly anticipated draft pick.
As the September 7th opener against Cincinnati rapidly approaches, the Browns’ active roster showcased a notable scarcity at running back, featuring only Jerome Ford and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson. This lean configuration highlights an immediate and pressing need for additional talent and seasoned players to shoulder the rigorous demands of an NFL season, placing immense pressure on the existing, albeit limited, backfield options.
In response to these pressing concerns, the team has initiated strategic moves to bolster its depth, notably claiming Raheim Sanders off waivers from the Los Angeles Chargers. Further reinforcing the position, Ahmani Marshall and Trayveon Williams, both recently released, were signed to the practice squad. While these additions offer immediate contingency, they underscore the fluid and potentially unstable nature of the running back situation.
The complexities surrounding Quinshon Judkins intensified with his absence from all of training camp, stemming from a legal issue that recently saw charges dropped following a state attorney’s office investigation. The investigation reportedly uncovered inconsistencies in the alleged victim’s testimony, ultimately leading to the dismissal of the charges and providing some clarity on that front.
Despite the resolution of his legal entanglement, the 21-year-old Judkins still faces the looming prospect of a suspension from the National Football League for a potential violation of its personal conduct policy. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed on Wednesday that “the matter remains under review,” indicating that the league’s disciplinary process is ongoing and could further delay Judkins’ debut for the Cleveland Browns.
Beyond the running back dilemma, the Browns have made other notable roster adjustments. Veteran quarterback Bailey Zappe, who started Cleveland’s final game last season, was signed to the practice squad after being waived by Kansas City. He joins a quarterback room featuring Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, providing an experienced fourth option as the team prepares for the season.
In other team news, Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward showed positive signs, practicing for a second consecutive day, indicating his readiness for Week 1. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger, an impressive second-round pick, was honored with the Maurice Bassett Award as the team’s top rookie in training camp and is expected to handle play-calling duties. However, starting center Ethan Pocic was a notable absentee from practice due to a knee injury, while defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. ran sprints after being cleared following knee surgery.
Given the dynamic nature of NFL rosters and the specific challenges currently faced by the Browns’ running back contingent, it is widely anticipated that further movement and adjustments will occur within the position group in the coming days and weeks. The team remains committed to optimizing its roster to ensure competitive readiness as the season opener draws nearer, a sentiment that suggests the current composition is far from final.
