Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins spoke to reporters about the possibility of playing in Sunday’s Week 2 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens one day after returning to practice for the first time since minicamp.
“As a competitor, and as a player, you want to go out there and do your best every single day you step on the field,” Judkins said at the 6:20 mark of his Friday media availability. “So, if I have to play, going to give it my all.”
When asked if he would be ready to play by Sunday, Judkins answered, “I’m taking it day by day right now. Just focus, and the playbook, and just focus.”
Judkins was listed as “questionable” on Friday after signing a four-year, $11.4 million rookie deal with the Browns last Saturday.
The 2025 second-round pick missed the entirety of training camp and the preseason after he was arrested on a domestic violence and battery charge in July. Prosecutors announced on Aug. 14 that no formal charges would be filed.
An NFL investigation into the incident is still ongoing, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported Wednesday.
Judkins met with NFL officials about the case on Wednesday in New York, per Cabot. He could still face a suspension if the NFL decides he has violated the league’s personal conduct policy.
“I can’t control that,” Judkins said when asked Friday about his meeting with the NFL. “What I can do is just go otu on the field and be able to help my teammates.”
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Friday the team expected to decide within the next 24 hours whether Judkins would make his NFL debut in Week 2.
“There’s football shape, and once you get in pads and get hit a little bit, that’s different than working out prior. But I do think he’s in good shape,” Stefanski said.
When asked if Judkins would be able to handle to mental aspect of joining the team Sunday, Stefanski answered, “He was with us all spring. Smart kid, so he’s picking up quickly.”
Running backs Dylan Sampson, Jerome Ford and Raheim Sanders recorded carries for the Browns in last Sunday’s season-opening loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The trio combined for just 40 total rushing yards.
Both the Browns and Ravens are looking to avoid falling to 0-2 when Week 2 kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in Baltimore.
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