Browns Make Final Call on Quinshon Judkins’ Status for Week 2
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is on track to make his NFL debut Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.
The Browns have officially listed Judkins as questionable for the matchup in Baltimore.
“He has done a nice job,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said on Friday. “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do up to this point. I do think he’s in good shape and I thought he did a nice job with this week.”
Judkins got in his first “full” practice on Thursday since the spring. He met with NFL investigators on Wednesday in New York as part of the league’s Personal Conduct Policy investigation into a July arrest. Judkins will not be charged for the alleged incident and has not been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. The NFL has stated that it does not have a timeline for resolving Judkins’ situation.
Browns right tackle Jack Conklin, who suffered an eye injury during Week 1, is also questionable. Cleveland has ruled defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. out for a second consecutive week as he continues his recovery from a knee injury he suffered last season.
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins in ‘Pivotal’ Stretch
Judkins is still playing catch-up in his bid to get on the field. He missed all of training camp and the preseason because of a contract holdout and an off-field incident. The silver lining is that he logged some work during rookie minicamp and OTAs, which gave him a solid foundation to build on.
“We’re around these guys a good chunk so you have opportunities to find ways to get install,” offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said Thursday. “Obviously for Q you know, we’ll take it day-by-day to see how he continues to progress in practice. It takes some extra work to make sure that we can catch him up after a Wednesday practice. But Thursdays and Fridays are really pivotal days throughout the week. So, finding ways to make sure that we get him the proper work to give him an opportunity moving forward.”
The Browns drafted Judkins No. 36 overall with the intention of him being their bell-cow back. Judkins was a big producer during his college career, first at Ole Miss and then at Ohio State. He rushed for 3,785 yards and 45 touchdowns over three college seasons.
Browns Quinshon Judkins to Boost Backfield
Judkins is expected to be a key piece of the Browns’ offense moving forward, with plans for him to shoulder a significant workload and help Cleveland control the clock with sustained drives.
That was sorely missing in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns mustered just 49 rushing yards, averaging 2.0 yards per carry. Their longest run went for just five yards.
Judkins will return to a backfield that already features a productive rookie in Dylan Sampson. He led the team with eight catches for 64 yards against Cincinnati and added 29 yards on 12 carries. Sampson’s versatility ensures he’ll continue to play a major role even once Judkins is in the mix.
The Browns are a 12.5-point underdog against the Ravens on the road.
Nick Saban mocks Grant Delpit over LSU career after taunting Derrick Henry: ‘How many times did they beat us?’
Former LSU defender turned Cleveland Browns defensive back Grant Delpit is preparing for a showdown with Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens this weekend. He had some fascinating comments ahead of the matchup.
On Thursday, Delpit was asked how hard it is to bring down the bruising running back in Henry. The defensive back quickly replied: “Not hard,” via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
Well, the quote made it back to Henry. The Ravens star responded to Delpit later on Thursday afternoon, explaining that he was made aware of Delpit’s comment: “He had a quote,” Henry stated, via ESPN. “We’ll see on Sunday.”
While Henry decided not to add any more fuel to the fire, his former coach at Alabama in Nick Saban took a different approach. He joined The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, shocked at Delpit’s claim.
“I don’t even know which Cleveland Browns guy said that,” Saban responded to McAfee, “but if they had to practice every day against this guy, I guarantee you they’d be the first one to say, ‘I ain’t tackling his ass every day.’”
Then, Saban learned it was Delpit who made the statement, and remembered that he went to LSU. He took a shot at the Tigers afterwards: “LSU guy,” Saban scoffed. “How many times did they beat us when he played?”
Thankfully for Delpit, they did have one win over Saban while he was with LSU — a 46-41 victory in Tuscaloosa, where Joe Burrow exploded for three touchdown passes. Unfortunately, the Tigers’ defense didn’t do much, as Tua Tagovailoa passed for four touchdowns and 418 yards, but Delpit did make two tackles in that game.
As he looks ahead to a showdown with Henry this weekend, Saban at least tried to give Delpit a scouting report. He raved a bit about Henry’s size, but the former coach provided the blueprint for how to stop him.
“Do you understand how long this guy’s arms are when he stiff-arms you and you try to tackle him? I don’t know what his sleeve length is, but it’s long,” Saban added. “… Once this guy gets going, once he gets downhill, he’s way faster than people think. He doesn’t even look fast, but with that long stride, guys have angles and still can’t catch him.
“You don’t want him to get out in space. You’ve got to keep him boxed in. Everybody’s got to play with leverage. I always taught DBs to tackle high, but with a guy like Derrick Henry, I’m not sure you’re better off not going low.”
Perhaps Delpit will regret his comments after this weekend, as Henry will certainly be seeking him out. We know whose side Saban is on, as the Browns and the Ravens are ready for what should be an emotional game in Week 2.
