The Cleveland Browns return from their Week 9 bye with hopes of putting together a strong second half. Quinshon Judkins exited the team’s Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots with a shoulder injury and did not return. Will fantasy football managers have their rookie running back available for this week’s matchup against the New York Jets?
Quinshon Judkins Injury Update
Judkins left the game against the Patriots late in the third quarter after catching a short pass from quarterback Dillon Gabriel. He finished the contest with just nine carries for 19 yards and three receptions for negative-two yards before departing, marking an uncharacteristically quiet performance for the Browns’ lead back.
Initial reports following the game described the injury as day-to-day, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirming that Judkins suffered an AC joint sprain in his shoulder. The injury was not believed to be significant, which came as welcome news for both the Browns and fantasy managers who have relied on the rookie’s consistent production.
The timing of the injury worked in Judkins’ favor, as Cleveland’s Week 9 bye provided an extra week of recovery without missing any game action. The Browns held an unofficial practice on Monday, and Judkins was present, which strongly suggests he’s progressing well in his recovery.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski expressed optimism about Judkins’ status, telling reporters the team is hopeful he’ll be ready for Sunday. While there won’t be an official practice report today, all signs point toward Judkins being available against the Jets.
Fantasy managers should expect Judkins to appear on Wednesday’s injury report with the shoulder designation when the Browns return to official practice. However, his participation level should provide reassurance.
Even if he’s listed as limited in practice, Judkins remains on track to suit up Sunday. The AC joint sprain, while painful, typically doesn’t require extended absences for Grade I sprains, which appear to be what Judkins is dealing with based on the team’s optimistic timeline.
Judkins Fantasy Outlook
Judkins has been one of the most pleasant surprises for fantasy managers this season after missing Week 1. Since making his debut in Week 2, the rookie has hit double-digit fantasy points in five of seven games, including three RB1-caliber performances that have provided legitimate weekly upside.
His opportunity share tells the story of his value to the Browns’ offense. Judkins commands a 65.5% opportunity share on the season, cementing his status as the clear lead back in Cleveland’s backfield. Jerome Ford provides veteran receiving back experience, while fellow rookie Dylan Sampson has seen his role diminish significantly since Judkins established himself as the workhorse.
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Through eight games, Judkins has accumulated 486 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 118 carries, averaging a solid 4.1 yards per attempt. He’s also chipped in 12 receptions for 60 yards, although he has -2 receiving yards over his last three games combined.
The Week 10 matchup against the Jets presents an average opportunity for Judkins. New York’s run defense has been middle-of-the-pack this season, neither creating significant resistance nor allowing running backs to run wild. However, given the Browns’ offensive limitations in the passing game, they’ll likely lean heavily on their ground attack, which bodes well for Judkins’ volume.
As long as Judkins plays, he should be firmly on fantasy managers’ RB2 radar. His consistent double-digit scoring and three-down role make him a reliable weekly option, particularly for managers seeking a safe floor with legitimate touchdown upside.
The shoulder injury appears to be nothing more than a minor inconvenience that the bye week helped address, positioning Judkins for continued success in the second half of the season.