| News |
|---|
|
Quinshon Judkins Quinshon Judkins Officially activated for Sunday
Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 11:27 AM
Judkins (personal) was activated to the 53-man roster Saturday and is expected to make his debut in Sunday's game versus the Ravens.
Analysis: The Browns were granted a two-game roster exemption for the 2025 second-rounder ahead of Week 1, but they'll officially bring Judkins on board for Sunday's divisional clash. At the time of this report, Judkins is still listed as questionable, although his activation puts him on track to play. Judkins made his first practice appearance since June when he joined the team on the field Thursday, so it's unlikely that he'll be ready for a full workload. He figures to mix in behind fellow rookie Dylan Sampson and veteran Jerome Ford. |
|
Quinshon Judkins Quinshon Judkins Expected to make debut Sunday
Sat, Sep 13, 2025, 9:27 AM
Judkins is expected to play in Sunday's game versus the Ravens, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The Browns -- who were granted a two-game roster exemption after the running back signed a contract ahead of Week 1 action -- still need to officially activate Judkins, but all signals are pointing toward that happening Saturday afternoon. Judkins signed with the team exactly one week ago, and he practiced Thursday for the first time since minicamp in June. With such limited practice time, it seems unlikely that he's ready for a full workload yet, so he'd likely mix in to some degree behind fellow rookie Dylan Sampson and veteran Jerome Ford. |
|
Quinshon Judkins Quinshon Judkins Week 2 status TBD
Fri, Sep 12, 2025, 12:30 PM
Judkins is viewed as questionable to play in Sunday's game against the Ravens, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: In terms of Judkins' chances of suiting up versus Baltimore, coach Kevin Stefanski told Oyefusi on Friday, "We'll work through that over the next 24 hours. ... I do think he's in good shape." The Browns were granted a two-game roster exemption for the 2025 second-rounder ahead of Week 1, with Zac Jackson of The Athletic noting that the team has until Saturday afternoon to activate Judkins and make a corresponding roster move to pave the way for him to be able to play against the Ravens. If Judkins is active Sunday, he'd bolster a Cleveland backfield that was led last weekend by Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford. |
|
Raheim Sanders Raheim Sanders In line to be active
Fri, Sep 12, 2025, 6:20 AM
Sanders could be part of the active roster for Week 2 against the Ravens due to the unsettled status of Quinshon Judkins, who is still on the Commissioner's Exempt List.
Analysis: Sanders, who was active in the 17-16 loss to the Bengals in Week 1, played only three snaps, but one of those was a one-yard touchdown plunge. He finished the game with three carries (two in the red zone) for three yards. Judkins missed all of the preseason and didn't sign a contract until the day prior to the season opener. He got on the practice field Thursday for the first time since mandatory minicamp in June and may not be up to speed for Sunday's game at Baltimore. The Browns were granted a two-week roster exemption for Judkins, so he won't count toward the roster if he remains held out Week 2. |
|
Quinshon Judkins Quinshon Judkins Back at practice Thursday
Thu, Sep 11, 2025, 2:17 PM
Judkins participated in practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: According to Cabot, Thursday's full session marked Judkins' first practice of any kind since the Browns' mandatory minicamp in June. The running back wasn't in attendance for the team's first practice of the week Wednesday, as he traveled to Manhattan to be interviewed by league officials under the personal conduct policy. Cabot notes that Judkins won't be charged with a criminal offense stemming from his July 12 domestic battery arrest, but he could still be subject to discipline from the NFL. In terms of his availability for Sunday's game against the Ravens, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said Thursday that the Browns are going "day-by-day" with Judkins "to see how he continues to progress in practice." The Browns were granted a two-game roster exemption for the 2025 second-round pick after he didn't sign his rookie deal with the team until this past Saturday, so he won't count toward the roster if he remains held out for the Week 2 contest. |
|
Quinshon Judkins Quinshon Judkins Won't practice Wednesday
Wed, Sep 10, 2025, 10:32 AM
Coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Judkins, who is not at the Browns' facility and won't practice Wednesday, is expected back with the team Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer previously reported that Judkins is in line to be interviewed by the NFL this week regarding his domestic battery charge under its Personal Conduct Policy. According to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, that meeting is taking place Wednesday. Stefanski didn't comment on that topic Wednesday, noting that the Browns are taking it day-by-day with Judkins, with the team having been granted a two-game roster exemption for the running back upon his signing prior to Week 1 action. |
|
Cedric Tillman Cedric Tillman Scores in Week 1 loss
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 9:27 PM
Tillman caught five of eight targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Bengals in Week 1.
Analysis: Tillman snagged a five-yard pass on a crossing route in the back of the end zone for Cleveland's lone touchdown. He also had one of three fourth-quarter drops by Browns receivers. His drop with 1:24 remaining was the dagger, as it bounded off his hands and into the arms of the Bengals' DJ Turner. Despite the drop, a lot went right in Week 1 for Tillman, who saw good target volume and had a 25-yard reception. After flashing in the middle of the 2024 season, a concussion ended the year after Week 12 and left his status for 2025 up in the air. Tillman enters the season as the No. 2 wideout opposite Jerry Jeudy, and nothing that transpired Sunday will change that. |
|
Jerome Ford Jerome Ford Works behind Sampson
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 8:52 PM
Ford rushed the ball six times for eight yards in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Bengals. He added one reception on one target for minus-3 yards.
Analysis: Ford was expected to serve as Cleveland's lead back, but he was instead out-touched 20-7 by Dylan Sampson. Ford didn't help himself with his opportunity, as he averaged only 1.3 yards per attempt, with his longest gain on the ground going for only two yards. Things aren't likely to get better for Ford moving forward, as Quinshon Judkins is expected to join the backfield as soon as Week 2 against Baltimore. |
|
Dylan Sampson Dylan Sampson Works as lead back
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 8:45 PM
Sampson rushed the ball 12 times for 29 yards in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Bengals. He added eight receptions on eight targets for 64 yards.
Analysis: Sampson was expected to serve as the change-of-pace back in Cleveland, but he took the first carry for the Browns and out-touched Jerome Ford 20-7. Sampson wasn't particularly impressive on the ground, but he was still more efficient than Ford. He ultimately made his mark as a pass catcher, however, as he led the Browns in receptions (eight) and was second in yards (64). While it was an encouraging debut for Sampson, the backfield is likely to grow more crowded with the addition of Quinshon Judkins in Week 2 against Baltimore. |
|
Harold Fannin Harold Fannin Encouraging debut
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 8:35 PM
Fannin caught seven of nine targets for 63 yards in Sunday's 17-16 loss to Cincinnati in Week 1. He also had one carry for three yards.
Analysis: Fannin had a drop in the fourth quarter which factored into a drive that stalled on the Bengals side of the field, but other than that, the rookie tight end built off a strong preseason. The 2025 third-round draft pick had one catch for more than 20 yards, led all Cleveland receivers in targets, including the player starting ahead of him at tight end, David Njoku (six targets), and looks ahead of schedule in his development. The Browns lack quality target depth, which may prompt defenses to focus on Njoku and Jerry Jeudy. That could lead to Fannin producing more games like Sunday's and becoming a relevant fantasy option. |
|
David Njoku David Njoku Overshadowed by Fannin
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 8:34 PM
Njoku recorded three receptions on six targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Bengals.
Analysis: Njoku was projected to be Joe Flacco's second target behind Jerry Jeudy, but he was overshadowed by several Browns' pass catchers. The most notable was rookie tight end Harold Fannin, who drew rave reviews during the preseason and carried that into the regular season with nine targets. It's likely that Njoku retakes a larger role in the offense moving forward, but Flacco's distribution of targets in Week 1 was concerning. |
|
Jerry Jeudy Jerry Jeudy Five catches in Week 1
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 8:11 PM
Jeudy recorded five receptions on eight targets for 66 yards in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Bengals.
Analysis: Jeudy saw decent target volume overall, though Joe Flacco distributed the ball evenly to Harold Fannin, Cedric Tillman and Dylan Sampson. Jeudy narrowly led the team in receiving yards thanks to a meaningless catch in the final seconds of the game to turn in a passable fantasy line. However, he also dropped a target on fourth down early in the fourth quarter and had a pass deflect off his hands to turn the ball over earlier in the contest. Jeudy should have the chance to put together decent fantasy performances so long as Joe Flacco is under center, but it would be reassuring to see him command a higher rate of targets in Week 2 against the Ravens. |
|
Joe Flacco Joe Flacco Attempts 45 passes in loss
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 7:55 PM
Flacco completed 31 of 45 passes for 290 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Bengals. He added two rushes for six yards.
Analysis: The Browns played at a methodical pace and prioritized passes to the short areas of the field early in the game, with Flacco attempting 15 passes for 87 yards at halftime. He opened things up a bit in the second half, when he accounted for his longest completions of the game (25, 25 and 22 yards). Flacco's lone touchdown of the game came on the opening drive of the third quarter, when he connected with Cedric Tillman from five yards away. Things turned quickly, however, as he threw an interception that setup the game-winning field goal for Cincinnati on the following drive. Flacco is likely to remain inconsistent so long as he's the starter for the Browns. |
|
Shedeur Sanders Shedeur Sanders Designated as emergency QB
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 10:40 AM
Sanders (coach's decision) is inactive but designated as the emergency third quarterback for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: This move comes as little surprise, as coach Kevin Stefanski made clear that Sanders would begin the season third on the quarterback depth chart. Dillon Gabriel will serve as Joe Flacco's backup in Week 1. |
|
Quinshon Judkins Quinshon Judkins Could debut next week
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 8:58 AM
Judkins won't be activated for Sunday's game against the Bengals, but the Browns are optimistic that the rookie running back will be ready to make his NFL debut next weekend in Baltimore, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Judkins finally put pen to paper on his rookie contract with the Browns on Saturday, but because he missed all of training camp and preseason while he was unsigned following his July 12 arrest in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on charges of domestic assault and battery, Cleveland was granted a two-game exemption in which the running back won't count toward the 53-man roster. Though all charges against Judkins have since been dropped, the NFL is still investigating the alleged incident, and the 21-year-old is scheduled to meet with league officials during the upcoming week. While it's still unclear if Judkins will be subject to any league discipline, the expectation is that he'll have the roster exemption lifted in advance of the Week 2 contest. Because of all the time he's missed this summer, Judkins could handle a light role initially for Cleveland, though Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network relays that the Browns are hopeful that Judkins will eventually emerge as the team's lead back. Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford will take on the brunt of the snaps and touches out of the backfield for at least the Week 1 game, however. |
|
Quinshon Judkins Quinshon Judkins Granted two-game roster exemption
Sat, Sep 6, 2025, 11:36 AM
Judkins officially signed his rookie contract with the Browns on Saturday and has been granted a two-game roster exemption.
Analysis: Judkins' two-game exemption will allow him to practice with the team without counting against the 53-man roster for up to two games, meaning Cleveland won't be required to immediately cut a player in a corresponding transaction. The rookie second-round pick won't be eligible to play until the exemption is lifted, however, and all expectations are that he won't be in consideration to suit up Sunday versus the Bengals. Judkins' exemption provides him a window to get up to speed after having sat out all of training camp and the preseason, after which he'll join a backfield that also houses Jerome Ford, Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders. Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com confirms that the NFL's investigation into Judkins for a potential violation of the league's personal conduct policy is still ongoing, and that his four-year, $11.4 million rookie deal is fully guaranteed. |
|
Quinshon Judkins Quinshon Judkins Agrees to deal with Browns
Sat, Sep 6, 2025, 8:36 AM
Judkins has agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Browns, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: Per Cabot, Judkins -- who is set to ink his contract Saturday -- is not in line to play Sunday against the Bengals, but once the 2025 second-rounder is ready to join the lineup, he'll bolster a Cleveland backfield that also includes Jerome Ford, Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders. Cabot adds that the NFL is still reviewing Judkins' domestic battery case even though it was dropped, while Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes that the Browns are expected to get a temporary roster exemption (that can last up to two games) for the running back, who would then be able to practice but not play until the exemption is lifted, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. |
|
Blake Whiteheart Blake Whiteheart Cleared to suit up Week 1
Fri, Sep 5, 2025, 2:55 PM
Whiteheart (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plan Dealer reports.
Analysis: Whiteheart gained clearance with full participation in practice Friday following a pair of limited sessions. He's a distant third on the depth chart behind David Njoku and rookie third-round pick Harold Fannin. |
|
Dylan Sampson Dylan Sampson Set for change-of-pace duties
Mon, Sep 1, 2025, 3:02 PM
Sampson is expected to handle a change-of-pace role Week 1 against the Bengals on Sunday, while Jerome Ford leads Cleveland's backfield, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.
Analysis: Sampson, a rookie fourth-round pick, has been heavily involved alongside Ford throughout the preseason with 2025 second-rounder Quinshon Judkins still unsigned, but he's expected to be relegated to complimentary change-of-pace utilization in his regular-season debut. There's a significant possibility that Sampson's involvement grows as his experience at the NFL level does, especially if he's able to impress early, though Cabot also reports that the Browns hope Judkins will report to team facilities this week. Cleveland also claimed UDFA Raheim Sanders off waivers from the Chargers, who boasts a larger frame than Ford or Sampson and could carve out a role in short-yardage situations. |
|
Jerome Ford Jerome Ford Positioned to lead backfield early
Mon, Sep 1, 2025, 2:56 PM
Ford is expected to operate in a workhorse role Week 1 versus the Bengals on Sunday, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.
Analysis: Ford led the Browns in rushing last year, albeit with just 565 yards across 14 regular-season games, and he now looks set for a lead back role at home versus Cincinnati on Sunday, while rookie fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson operates as a change-of-pace back. Cleveland also claimed undrafted rookie Raheim Sanders off waivers last week, who at 6-foot, 230 pounds could contribute in short-yardage situations. Cabot reports that 2025 second-round pick Quinshon Judkins, who hasn't yet signed his rookie deal, could join the Browns soon, so there are considerable avenues for this backfield split to shift as the year progresses. Even if Judkins were to sign immediately, however, Ford and Sampson appear solidified in their roles for Week 1. |
Connect With Us:
