The Cleveland Browns are all set to start their 2025 preseason against the Carolina Panthers on Friday, and all eyes will be on quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ debut. However, another key player many expected to watch won’t be taking the field – former Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins. The second-round pick was projected to become a starter for the Browns in his rookie season, but off-field troubles will likely delay his debut.
Will Quinshon Judkins Make His Debut in the Panthers-Browns Preseason Game?
No, Judkins will almost certainly not see any action in the Browns’ preseason matchups. He was arrested on “Touch or strike/battery/domestic violence” charges in July, though he was released soon after with his bond set at $2,500.
According to the arrest report, Judkins punched his girlfriend with a closed fist in the chin and lip area, with the incident being reported a few days later. He was also alleged to have struck her on the left arm and thigh.
Judkins remains unsigned, and the Browns are in no rush to change that status despite letting Nick Chubb walk away in free agency. He has been absent from training camp as the Browns take their time investigating what transpired between him and his then-girlfriend.
Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam discussed the Quinshon Judkins situation.
Says they do expect him to eventually sign and play for the Browns once the legal process pkays out. Described it as “cautiously optimistic” pic.twitter.com/pVMUQwvap7
— 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚛 𝙶𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚗 (@Spencito_) July 29, 2025
Even if Judkins returns to the Browns’ practice, the NFL is bound to take disciplinary action against him, with a six-game suspension being the standard for a first violation. While the punishment could be adjusted up or down depending on the severity of the issue, the 36th overall pick won’t be seeing the field during the first few games at a minimum.
Who Else Is on the Browns’ Running Back Depth Chart?
Judkins has a winning pedigree and was projected to win the starting job for the Browns. Last season, he won the college football national championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes, scoring three touchdowns while rushing for two scores. He was coming off three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons and would have given a massive boost to the Browns’ 29th-ranked run game.
However, with his absence, the load now falls on the 2024-25 season’s leading rusher, Jerome Ford, who tallied 565 yards and three touchdowns at 5.4 yards per carry. The Browns also drafted a dynamic playmaker in Dylan Sampson in the fourth round. He is coming off a 1,491-yard season and is expected to start for the Browns in the preseason opener.
Samp with speed @dylans21527 | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/5YojhSiGVr
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) July 25, 2025
The other names in the Browns’ running back room are Pierre Strong Jr. and Ahmani Marshall, an undrafted rookie out of Appalachian State.
