Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned with the regular season right around the corner.
It’s a tough situation for the Browns, who drafted Judkins to be their feature back. However, the former Ohio State standout is not considering the extreme option of returning to college football, which was recently proposed by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
“If the player never signs an NFL contract (and Judkins has not), why shouldn’t he be able to return to college? The NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement contemplates the possibility of a player returning to school after the draft. While not binding on the NCAA, it shows that it shouldn’t be viewed as an impossibility,” Florio said on Aug. 25. “If Judkins would play in college football this year, the Browns would still hold his contractual rights. If he doesn’t sign with the Browns at all, he would re-enter the draft in 2026.”
Florio’s theory stirred some buzz, but Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reported that Judkins “is not pondering a return to the college ranks.”
The Browns selected Judkins with the No. 36 overall pick in April. Like many second-rounders, he has been pushing for a fully guaranteed deal. Complicating matters was his arrest in Florida on domestic violence and battery charges.
Those charges have since been dropped, but the NFL continues to investigate. Judkins could face a suspension or be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list once he signs.
Browns Sign New Running Back Amid Judkins Uncertainty
The Browns’ initial 53-man roster featured just two running backs: veteran Jerome Ford and rookie fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson. That didn’t last long. Cleveland claimed Raheim Sanders on Wednesday. Sanders was waived by the Chargers during roster cuts.
“Productive player, good size, runs hard,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said of Sanders. “We’ve got to get him in here and see how he does. The tape is good.”
Browns assistant general manager Glenn Cook said the signing of Sanders — an undrafted rookie out of South Carolina — does not have to do with Judkins’ situation.
“What it more speaks to is in August, you may feel like you’re deep in a certain spot, and when you get to January, there’s a scarcity,” Cook said. “We’re just excited to get the talent, give him to the coaching staff and let them deploy him the best way they see fit.”
The Browns also brought back Ahmani Marshall and Trayveon Williams to the practice squad. Marshall and Williams were both with the Browns in the preseason.
Browns Also Sign QB Bailey Zappe to Practice Squad
Another notable addition for the Browns this week is quarterback Bailey Zappe. He previously spent time in Cleveland, starting the 2024 season finale.
Zappe is the fourth healthy quarterback in the mix for the Browns. Joe Flacco will open as the starter, with Dillon Gabriel as his primary backup. Shedeur Sanders is No. 3 on the depth chart, so it’s uncertain where Zappe will slot in.
Zappe spent the preseason with the Kansas City Chiefs, completing 15 of 27 passes for 104 yards with two interceptions in three games.
The Browns recently released veteran Tyler Huntley and traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders.
