12/21/25 05:25:00
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12/21 17:24 CST Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has dislocated
ankle and broken leg
Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has dislocated ankle and broken leg
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) --- Browns running back Quinshon Judkins will undergo surgery
after suffering a dislocated right ankle and broken fibula during the second
quarter of Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.
The rookie had his right leg put in an air cast and was carted off with the
season-ending injury with 1:57 remaining in the first half.
"Q's been incredible, so I'm disappointed for him," coach Kevin Stefanski said
after the 23-20 loss that left the Browns 3-12 on the season. "He's
disappointed, but he's not somebody that I worry about. He'll bounce back."
The rookie running back suffered the injury after catching a swing pass from
Shedeur Sanders on second-and-6 at the Browns 44.
Judkins was quickly hit low at the 38 by Bills linebacker Matt Milano for a
6-yard loss. Judkins rolled over in pain and was pounding his hands on his
helmet and the ground.
Officials originally ruled that Judkins had fumbled the ball and Buffalo
linebacker Terrel Bernard ran it back for a touchdown, but replay reversed it
to Judkins being down by contact.
"Yeah, well, it really hurt that Quinshon went down. Me and Quinshon was in the
room talking yesterday till like 11-11:30, just like about life, just about
everything," Sanders said. "It was definitely sad because I'm like, backside, I
can't throw this slant. They're covering it, you know, they ain't like, I can't
throw this slant. He's heavy inside. So, yeah, so that was my only option, you
know, that was my option with throwing it.
"So I feel bad because I threw it, you know? But, yeah, truthfully, yeah, it
hurts. It hurts."
Judkins, a second-round pick out of Ohio State, came in leading NFL rookies in
rushing and tied for first with seven touchdowns runs. He had eight carries for
22 yards and five receptions for 29 yards before being injured.
Judkins finishes with 827 yards rushing, fifth-most by a rookie in franchise
history. He missed all of the preseason after he was accused of domestic
violence in Florida in July. Prosecutors declined to pursue a case against him
following a state attorney's office investigation that found inconsistencies in
the accuser's story.
He didn't report to the Browns until after the first game against Cincinnati on
Sept. 7.
"He loves football, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was back for the start of
next season. He'll attack this the best he can," offensive guard Joel Bitonio
said.
The Browns are on track to become the second team in NFL history to have
rookies lead the team in pass attempts (Dillon Gabriel), carries (Judkins) and
receptions (Fannin).
"Very difficult to see. He plays a key role in our offense. Q, he's a dog, so I
know he's going to battle through it," said Fannin, who scored both Browns'
touchdowns.
Sanders came out in the second quarter for one play with what looked like a
bloody pinkie on his right throwing hand. He played with a bandage on his
finger the rest of the game.
"At that point, like, I just had to accept fate," he said. "I just accepted,
like, OK, this what it is. I can't think about it. I can't complain about it."
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