Quinshon Judkins (ankle) practicing on Friday

Judkins was hit at or behind the line of scrimmage constantly, resulting in a dreadful yards per carry of 2.9. This was particularly painful for fantasy managers when he got near the end zone. Judkins was stuffed from the one- and three-yard line on separate drives. He also ceded receiving work to Dylan Sampson. Judkins was targeted once while Sampson saw six opportunities through the air. Without receiving work to buoy his poor rushing days, Judkins is tumbling down the RB2 ranks. He’ll be on the RB2/3 border for his Week 10 matchup with the Texans.

Judkins added two catches on just two targets for 24 yards. The Browns’ offense could get nothing going against the Steelers’ defense, and the Browns’ offensive line was pushed around all day. Judkins also had two carries from inside the five-yard line, including a carry from the one-yard line with 22 seconds left, but he couldn’t convert on either. The Browns should have a bit of an easier time moving the ball against the Saints next week, but if Judkins has a good day, that might be the chance to trade him away. Judkins actually played 11 fewer snaps than Dylan Sampson in this one with the Browns trailing all game, so that gives Judkins a low fantasy floor.

Judkins took full advantage of a Titans defense that has struggled to stop the run in recent weeks. He broke tackles on a couple of his longest runs and made decisive cuts in the open field on well-designed rushing attempts. It was Judkins’ second career 100-yard day and his second and third touchdowns of the season. Dylan Sampson, in his first action of the 2026 season, saw six carries for 45 yards and ran 19 routes to 13 routes for Judkins. As long as game script remains neutral or positive, Judkins should be a viable flex play in Week 8 against the Steelers.

He should carry his usual load in a good matchup against the Titans. That will put Judkins in the mid-to-low RB2 range this week, even with Dylan Sampson getting a chance to come back off injured reserve.

Yesterday, Browns coach Todd Monken said he was “optimistic” about Judkins’ Week 7 availability. He has a chance to face the Titans this week, after sitting out in Week 6 against the Ravens, but it would be great to resume practicing in full tomorrow. If active, Judkins could be limited to a run-centric role, with Sampson also technically being on track to play.

Earlier today, Browns coach Todd Monken said he was “optimistic” about Judkins’ availability for Week 7 against the Titans. Today’s limited session puts him on track to play, though it would be nice to see him practice in full. If active, he would be a FLEX starter.

Monken sounded like Judkins and Dylan Sampson will be active and ready to go against Tennessee. Judkins had been the locked-in lead back for Cleveland before his Week 5 ankle injury, seeing 71 percent of the team’s designed rushing attempts. The potential return of Sampson, a good pass catcher, could complicate things for Judkins’ involvement in the pass game going forward. Judkins will be a touchdown-dependent flex play against a Titans defense allowing the NFL’s ninth lowest rushing success rate in 2026.

Judkins tested out his ankle in pregame warmups, with the team deciding afterward that he would not play in this AFC North battle with the Ravens. With backup Dylan Sampson still sidelined and Raheim Sanders (hip) on injured reserve, the Browns will look to Jaleel McLaughlin and the recently signed Audric Estime to lead their backfield in Week 6. This is looking like a backfield to avoid for this week, but McLaughlin could have some value in deeper leagues. The Browns also ruled QB Taylen Green, CB Noah Igbinoghene, DT Mike Hall Jr., C Parker Brailsford, OG Teven Jenkins, and DT Mason Graham inactive for this week.

Per Rapoport, there is optimism that linebacker Carson Schwesinger (ankle) will be able to play this week. Judkins logged a single limited practice on Friday before being listed as questionable. The fact that the Browns are even letting him test the groin injury in warmups suggests he will miss at most one game. If he doesn’t suit up, the Browns would be down to Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime as their remaining options at running back. McLaughlin would be the better choice for fantasy managers, though this is largely a situation to avoid if possible.

He only got in a limited session on Friday, leaving us to conclude this is likely a true questionable situation. The viability of Jaleel McLaughlin as a FLEX play will probably be determined by if Judkins is active or not. It’s also possible Judkins plays on a pitch count. He’ll be a shaky low-end RB2 if active.