It looked like Quinshon Judkins had finally turned a corner for the Cleveland Browns this season when the running back gained 96 yards against the Tennessee Titans two weeks ago. But since then, Judkins has hit the wall again.
That was made crystal clear on Sunday. In a 23-22 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, Judkins was stuffed on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, part of another disappointing afternoon for the second-year RB.
With 43 yards on 15 attempts, Judkins averaged fewer than 3.2 yards per carry for the sixth time in his eight games played this season. After an impressive rookie year when he was on his way to a 1,000-yard season, Judkins has failed to follow that up.
That is why analyst Anthony Lima might be ready to call Judkins “a bust” who could be replaced by Dylan Sampson.
“Is it trending towards Quinshon Judkins being a bust? He averaged 2.9 yards per carry yesterday. Dylan Sampson, I know [he’s a] totally different type of back, but I have more confidence when Dylan Sampson and the way they use him than anytime Judkins gets the football,” Lima said.
“Is it trending towards Quinshon Judkins being a bust? … Starting to trend that way.”
“I have more confidence when Dylan Sampson and the way they use him than anytime Judkins gets the football.”
➡️ @SportsBoyTony & @KenCarman discuss Quinshon Judkins' struggles and whether… pic.twitter.com/ApWwUGDmst
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) November 9, 2026
There was going to be an adjustment period for Judkins coming off a serious season-ending leg injury and playing behind a completely rebuilt offensive line. But the Browns have completed more than half of their schedule, and the second-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft has failed to reach 55 yards in six of those games. He has just one run longer than 15 yards on 116 total carries.
This lack of production is even more glaring when you consider that Browns head coach Todd Monken was in charge of the top rushing attack in the NFL as the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens for the previous three seasons. Cleveland ranks 25th in the NFL in yards per game, in large part because of Judkins’ ineffectiveness.
Sampson was projected to be the pass-catching complement to Judkins, but he was injured in the first quarter of the first game and did not return until Week 7. He managed just 2.6 yards per carry on eight attempts against the Saints, so it is unclear if he would fare any better as the featured back.
If the Browns hope to remain in playoff contention, they will need much better production from both Judkins and Sampson going forward.
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