Browns Face Tough Decision: Who Will They Cut to Make Room for Quinshon Judkins
The Cleveland Browns are now faced with a critical roster decision as rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is set to practice with the team this week, following the team’s 2-game roster exemption for the young star. While Judkins can practice, he can’t play in an official game until the exemption is lifted. If the Browns decide to activate him this week for the game against Baltimore, they’ll have to cut someone to make room for him.
The big question on everyone’s mind: Who gets the axe? The team is loaded with talent at running back, and if it’s a running back that gets cut, could the Browns really cut Raheim Sanders—a rising star—to keep Jerome Ford on the roster?
This looming dilemma is creating major drama in Cleveland, as fans and analysts alike are divided over what the team should do. Judkins, who has shown immense potential, is clearly a valuable asset for the future. But with so much depth in the running back room, how do the Browns make room without losing a key player?
All eyes are on Kevin Stefanski and the front office to see what move they’ll make—and who will be shocked by the decision.
Broncos Add Dynamic Former Cowboys RB After Super Bowl Champion’s Comments
The Denver Broncos are already looking to add a new dynamic to their group, and they quickly settled on former Dallas Cowboys sixth-round draft pick (2023) and running back Cristopher “Deuce” Vaughn.
The move comes on the heels of the Broncos’ 20-12 win over the Tennessee Titans.
That could suggest that there is something specific that head coach Sean Payton and the Broncos want to see out of the young playmaker, Vaughn.
Broncos Sign Former Cowboys RB Deuce Vaughn
Vaughn, who turns 24 in November, has 110 rushing yards on 40 carries in his career. How Vaughn fits into the Broncos’ plans is unclear, but he was in for a workout last week, so head coach Sean Payton and the front office have been monitoring him.
“The #Broncos are signing running back Deuce Vaughn to their practice squad, sources tell @CBSSports,” CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported on X on September 9. “The former Kansas State All-American and 2023 sixth-round draft pick spent the last two seasons with the Cowboys. Ran for 42 yards in Dallas’ final preseason game.
“During his final two college seasons at Kansas State, Vaughn ran for 2,912 yards and accounted for 34 total touchdowns.”
“He’s a hard worker. There could be a connection there,” Vaughn’s agent, Jovan Barnes, said, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson on September 9. “I was excited when they expressed their interest and now it’s up to Deuce to do what he does.
“He’s a great player and a great young man.”
What Vaughn does with the Broncos, and specifically under Payton, is certainly something to monitor.
Deuce Vaughn Draws Comparison to Super Bowl Champion After Endorsement
The Broncos have experience with smaller players, and Vaughn is the shortest active player in the league. Again, though, that puts him right in Payton’s wheelhouse as the former New Orleans Saints head coach remakes his vision in Denver.
“The 5-6 Vaughn signs up with Sean Payton, who got great production from 5-6 Darren Sproles from 2011-13 w/Saints,” 9News’ Mike Klis posted on X while confirming the signing.
Payton said if he could add one of his former players to the 2025 Broncos, it would be Sproles, who agrees with the comp and has praised and pushed for Vaughn to receive more playing time.
Sproles won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017.
He logged over 420 touches for 3,048 yards and 21 touchdowns under Payton. He played a crucial part in what Payton calls the “joker” in his offense, which requires a versatile skill set and has been filled by backs like current backs J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey.
The Broncos could be the best place for Vaughn, whose father is a scout for the Cowboys, to reach his full potential in the NFL, thanks largely to Payton’s expertise with similar players.
Broncos Expected to Call on Backup QB Again
The Broncos will leave the rest of their roster as is after signing Vaughn, taking a similar approach as they did against the Titans.
“No corresponding move here, source says,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans reported on X. “#Broncos will promote QB3 Sam Ehlinger to active roster again for Week 2 v. Indianapolis, leaves a spot open on PS.”
Ehlinger can dress on game days but not count toward the 53-player limit.
Perhaps Vaughn can get up to speed with whatever the Broncos want from him and can see the field as soon as this coming week against the Indianapolis Colts.
