Monken not worried about Judkins’ nagging injury

Judkins nearly scored a couple times inside the ten yard line, but couldn’t quite punch it in. The second-year back has a solid role if/when the Browns are able to hang with their opponents and produce sufficient neutral and positive game script. On Sunday against the Bucs, Judkins accounted for 12 of the Browns’ 15 running back carries and was targeted frequently out of the backfield as Deshaun Watson posted an aDOT of 3.6. Judkins should be a top-24 option in Week 3 against a middling Panthers defense.

Judkins was the workhorse back for the Browns, getting the majority of the team’s backfield opportunities. In a game where the Browns struggled to even get into the red zone, those opportunities were not high leverage, leading to a less-than-ideal fantasy day for the 22-year-old. The Browns offense is lethargic with Deshaun Watson at the helm, capping Judkins’ fantasy ceiling. Volume puts him in the low-end RB2 range for Week 2 against the Buccaneers.

Judkins missed the last two days of practice due to a “nagging injury,” per head coach Todd Monken. Monken said last week that he wasn’t worried about Judkins overall, and his short absence suggests this is nothing to be overly concerned about. Judkins has had a solid camp since returning from the brutal leg/ankle injuries he suffered late last season, and profiles as a high-end RB2 with a chance for more upside if he can improve on last year’s rookie totals.

According to Cleveland’s Mary Kay Cabot, Judkins was “the object of much of the chippiness on Tuesday.” According to multiple beat reporters, Browns coach Todd Monken abruptly ended practice early yesterday because defenders were being a little too physical. The team could simply be giving Judkins the day off after taking some hits yesterday, but this is worth keeping an eye on. Browns No. 2 RB Dylan Sampson operated as the team’s starter with Judkins sitting out.

Judkins earning a three-down role would be a massive development for the second-year back. Last season, Judkins appeared on only 35 third downs last season for the Browns, which ranked third-most on the team behind Jerome Ford (113) and Dylan Sampson (44). With Ford now in Washington, Judkins and Sampson should push for plenty of opportunities on third down this season, but any additional work for Judkins would add to what is already a strong fantasy profile. Despite not being known for his abilities as a pass-catcher, Judkins still managed to finish second on the team in routes (162) last season and put together a respectable 26-171-0 receiving line on 36 targets. He’s currently boasting an early fifth-round ADP, but Judkins could have a chance to easily exceed his draft slot if his third-down usage is ramped up under Todd Monken.

This is tremendous news for Judkins, who was last seen getting carted off the field after suffering a gruesome injury in Week 16. The second-year back is expected to lead the Browns’ backfield in carries after rushing for 230-837-7 in 14 games last season while adding another 26-171-0 through the air on 36 targets. His volume-heavy role makes him a safe candidate for a high-end RB2 in fantasy this season with a chance to drastically exceed those expectations if the Browns’ offense can improve on last year’s 31st ranked finish in their first year under head coach Todd Monken.

Judkins, entering his second NFL season, was an honorable mention in Jeremy Fowler’s list of top running backs headed into the 2026 season. “Runs incredibly hard, faster in the open field than you’d think,” the executive told Fowler. “I think he’s going to have a big year.” Coming off a major leg/ankle injury that ended his rookie campaign, Judkins participated in offseason practices and has a real chance to suit up for Week 1, barring injury setbacks in training camp and the preseason. Judkins had 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2025, adding 26 grabs for 171 yards. He was targeted on a strong 23 percent of his pass routes last season. Assuming health, Judkins could be an underrated option behind an improved Cleveland offensive line.

In a video from Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, Judkins appears to be moving quite well for a player recovering from a fractured fibula and a broken ankle. He suffered the injuries in Week 16 of his rookie season and was expected to miss 4-5 months. A mid-May return puts him on the early end of that timeline. Barring a surprise, Judkins should be full-go for the start of training camp. He was on pace for over 1,000 yards from scrimmage before missing the final two games of 2025. Fantasy managers can treat him as a volume-based RB2 in early drafts.

Berry maintained that Judkins should be able to fully participate in training camp, which typically starts in late July. We had not yet heard whether he would participate in organized team activities (OTAs) and/or mandatory minicamp, but given Berry’s comments, we could see him doing drills with teammates in May. At worst, it sounds like Judkins should retake the field with his teammates for workouts in June.

It’s expected news, but good to hear it from a team source. Judkins was expected to miss about 4-5 months after fracturing his fibula and dislocating his ankle in late December. It’s possible that Judkins could show up for some later parts of minicamp/OTAs based on that schedule, but even if he doesn’t, he should be ready to be Cleveland’s bellcow back in 2026.