Head Coach Kevin Stefanski Gives Frustrating Update on Browns’ $2M Rookie
Browns' Quinshon Judkins meeting with NFL.
The Cleveland Browns finally signed Quinshon Judkins to his rookie contract, but the running back still isn’t practicing.
Cleveland was hoping for Judkins to play in Week 2. But the rookie running back wasn’t at practice on September 10, according to coach Kevin Stefanski.
“I’m going to take it day by day,” Stefanski said. “He’s not here today, not practicing today, so I’ll really take that day by day. He’s not here today.”
Although Stefanski says Judkins wasn’t at practice, it was due to him meeting with the NFL, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
“#Browns RB Quinshon Judkins is in NYC today meeting with the NFL as part of its investigation under the personal conduct policy,” Rapoport wrote.
Judkins is meeting with the NFL over his legal issue, which has since been resolved. Judkins was arrested on charges of domestic assault and battery in July. However, a month later, all charges were dropped.
Despite all the charges being dropped, the NFL started to investigate the incident and is now meeting with Judkins to discuss the matter.
Judkins Not Ruled Out For Week 2
Although Judkins wasn’t at the facility or practicing on Sept. 10, the running back hasn’t been ruled out to play in Week 2.
Rapoport reported that Judkins is expected to practice on Thursday and Friday before the Browns determine his game status for Sunday.
“The plan is for Quinshon Judkins to practice tomorrow and Friday and determine his availability for Sunday at that point,” Rapoport wrote on X.
The Browns got a roster exemption for Judkins, meaning he can practice but isn’t on the 53-man roster. But if Cleveland wants the rookie running back to play in Week 2, the Browns would need to cut someone to add Judkins to the roster.
If Judkins does play on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, he would be a key part of the running game. In Week 1, Cleveland ran for just 49 yards, so Judkins could be a big boost to the ground game. He was expected to be the featured running back after the Browns selected him in the second round.
Cleveland is on the road to play the Ravens on Sept. 10.
Cleveland struggled to run the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals, and Stefanski knows it has to improve.
Stefanski believes the Browns need the run game to be better if Cleveland is going to upset Baltimore this week.
“I mean, for us to play well, we have to be able to run the ball better than we did in Week 1,” Stefanski said. “We have to perform better as players. We have to give them a better plan.… It’s all the little things that add up to being a big thing when you talk about having rushing success.”
A key to improving the run game is getting Judkins back, which Stefanski isn’t ruling out.
“Obviously, he was here in the spring,” Stefanski said, “so he has a baseline and understanding of those type of things. We will work hard and have been working hard since he’s been back and getting him ready.”
The Browns are massive 11.5-point underdogs against the Ravens.
Raiders’ Geno Smith Gives Blunt Response on Jakobi Meyers Connection
Geno Smith’s go-to receiver in the Las Vegas Raiders‘ Week 1 over the New England Patriots was Jakobi Meyers. Moreover, the veteran signal-caller explained why there’s a connection with Meyers right out of the gate.
In Week 1, Smith completed 24 of 34 passes for 362 yards and a touchdown. The veteran receiver added eight catches for 97 yards, putting together a standout performance in New England.
His lone touchdown came on a 26-yard strike to Tre Tucker in the first quarter, while he also connected with tight end Brock Bowers five times for 103 yards. Late in the fourth, Smith threw a 36-yard pass to rookie Dont’e Thornton, helping the Raiders secure the win.
On September 11, Smith spoke to the media and shared what led to that instant relationship with Meyers.
“I think it’s the fact that he played quarterback,” Smith said. “You know, he’s very QB-friendly. He understands the game. He knows where to be, when to be there. He’s got great hands as you can see, very good after the catch. Really impressive in that area.”
Geno Smith Gives Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers Love
While Smith understands the aspect that Meyers brings to the field, another reason why the relationship has instantly connected is because of how the wide receiver conducts himself off the field.
“I think the most impressive thing is just how humble he is and how much of a team player he is and how much he wants the other guys around him to be great. I think that’s something that is special and it’s rare in that position room. And so we got a lot of great guys, but I enjoy playing with Jacobe. I think he’s one of the best.”
Neither player connected for a touchdown against the Patriots. However, the elements did play a role in it. It will be interesting to see if these two connect for a touchdown or even more receiving yards playing at home.
Geno Smith Shares Mindset for Raiders
After the win over New England, Smith told CBS Sports he’s happy to kick off his time in Las Vegas with a strong performance. Though the former Seattle Seahawks quarterback is earning plenty of praise, he remains focused and is approaching each game step by step.
“Just one win,“ Smith said. “We’ve got a long ways to go. Happy we got to win, but we got to work tomorrow. I’m ready for work… I think we just stuck with the game plan. I thought we did execute it better in the second half. It’s a four-quarter game. They’re a good team as well. I mean, it’s the NFL. They’re going to win some as well. But we stuck with it, no one panicked, and we kept going, and we figured it out.”
Las Vegas now shifts focus to Week 2, where it will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC West matchup. Both teams come into the game riding a win and will be looking to start 2-0 in the 2025 NFL season, with the Chargers having beaten the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
