Browns Players Share Words of Encouragement for Quinshon Judkins

A 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills was felt beyond the Cleveland Browns' record. 

Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was also lost for the season after suffering a gruesome-looking leg injury just before halftime and being carted off the field. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the unfortunate news after the game, revealing Judkins suffered a fractured fibula and a dislocated ankle. 

It was a sobering moment that left many of his teammates gutted, afterwards. 

"Very difficult," said right end Harold Fannin Jr. of losing his fellow rookie. "He played a big key role in our offense and, yeah, very tough for us. I know. Q, he's a dog, so I know he's going to wake up and attack it and obviously get back so he can come back next year and play."

The devastating moment transpired out of the two-minute warning just before the half. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders lobbed a swing pass to Judkins off to his right, but as he turned upfield, Bills linebacker Matt Milano came screaming in to wrap up the third-round pick around his ankles and dislodge the ball. 

As Buffalo proceeded to return the loose ball for a touchdown (it wound up not standing), Judkins didn't get up. Soon after, he was surrounded by trainers, his right leg wrapped in an air cast, and escorted off the field via the medical cart.  It was an emotional scene. 

Instant Analysis: Browns Fight but Lose to the Buffalo Bills | Quinshon Judkins Breaks LegThe Cleveland Browns fall to the Buffalo Bills 23-20 on Sunday. Cleveland fought hard, but ultimately they came up short and fell to 3-12 on the season with ...

“I’m really sad for him," backup running back Raheim Sanders said after the game. "With all the work he puts in, it is someone I really look up to. It was about him and I am going to hit him up when I get back home. I do not want that to happen to anybody, so prayers up to him.”

In Judkins' absence, Sanders took over to ultimately lead all Browns tailbacks in rushing, with 11 carries for 42 yards. Trayveon Williams, who was signed off the Chargers practice squad on Dec. 10 and spent some time on Cleveland's earlier this season, also took three carries following Judkins departure. He shared Sanders' sentiments.

“It was pretty devastating," said Williams. "Seeing him early in the year and now, he is a guy that wants it. He comes to work everyday and he wants it. He is young and hungry, and I hate it for him, but he works his butt off every single day. It is devastating and I am praying for him.”

There may not be a single player who has formed a stronger bond with Judkins this year than veteran guard Joel Bitonio. The vet and the youngster are locker mates at the team facility. Earlier this week, Judkins gushed about how valuable it's been to get to know Bitonio and pick his brain. 

It was Bitonio's turn to return the sentiments after Judkins' brutal diagnosis. 

“He’s my guy man, he’s my locker guy back in Berea. He works hard and he just loves ball," the 12-year veteran said. "To see a guy go and get hurt at that point is just unfortunate. Hopefully whatever it is he recovers quickly and he can get back. He’s young and hopefully everything heals quickly. ... it’s the worst part of the game.”

Shedeur Sanders has built plenty of chemistry with Judkins as well, since taking over as the starting QB five weeks ago. That's continued off the field as well. So when Sanders realized what happened to his backfield-mate, he felt for him. 

"Me and Quinshon was in the room talking yesterday till like 11-11:30, just like just about life, just about everything," Sanders revealed. Because of the type of person he is, and I know he been through a lot and just building that bond with the rookie class."

The play left Sanders second-guessing himself, even though it's clearly wasn't his fault. Injuries are, unfortunately, an unavoidable part of football. 

"Knowing that he went down with that, it was definitely sad," he added. "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 has been such a bright spot in the Browns' offense this season and one of the main reasons for optimism for the franchise's future. In 14 games, he had amassed 827 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, adding 26 receptions for 171 yards through the air. 

Those numbers had him in the conversation for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, despite missing the first two games of the season and training camp due to an ongoing legal situation.

Instead, Judkins will turn his attention towards a looming surgery, and then spend the next 5-6 months rehabbing. Sunday was a tough way for the promising rookie to see his season come to an end. When he returns, though, he'll be a major part of the Browns' offensive plans in 2026 and beyond.