Quinshon Judkins, the Cleveland Browns’ second‑round draft pick in 2025, is in New York meeting with NFL officials as part of the league’s investigation under the Personal Conduct PolicyPreviously, Judkins was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in July on a battery/domestic violence chargeUltimately, prosecutors declined to pursue the charges in mid‑August, citing lack of sufficient evidence, inconsistencies, and delayed reportingDespite that legal decision, the NFL’s review remains ongoing
Because his contract was unsigned pending resolution of the legal issues, Judkins did not participate in training camp initiallyHe eventually signed a fully‑guaranteed four‑year rookie contract, worth about $11.4 million, on September 6
As of now, the Browns plan is to have Judkins practice on Thursday and Friday of this week, then assess whether he is ready and eligible to play in their Sunday game. The head coach, Kevin Stefanski, has said that it depends on how the practice week goes. Given how little time he has had to get up to game speed (missing training camp and the season opener), it’s considered a tough ask for him to make his debut this week
What complicates things is the ongoing NFL investigation: even though criminal charges were dropped, the league can still impose discipline under its Personal Conduct Policy, which has different standards than criminal law.The investigation includes interviewing Judkins, reviewing whatever evidence the state had, any other statements, etc
So, here are the key points to watch and the likely paths forward:
How Judkins looks in practice: Does he look physically ready? Is he in shape? Is he mentally and emotionally prepared to take on game reps? Getting through practice without issue will matter.
Whether anything new comes out of the NFL meeting: If during the meeting in New York any findings shift the understanding (good or bad), that could affect his availability or possible disciplinary repercussions.
What the Browns decide after Friday: If the coaching staff, in conjunction with medical/training staff, feel he’s ready, he could be active Sunday. If not, they may hold him out to avoid risk.
What the league decides in terms of discipline: Even if Judkins plays, there’s still the possibility of suspension or fine later, depending on how the investigation concludes. The league’s Personal Conduct Policy doesn’t require a conviction to impose sanctions.
Public and media reaction might also influence how transparent the league and Browns are with their reasoning.
In short, Judkins is at a crossroads: with a contract signed, legal charges dropped, and the Browns eager to get him on the field, the next few practices are critical. He could make his debut Sunday if everything lines up. But it’s far from guaranteed given the limited preparation and the ongoing league process.
If you want, I can try to predict what likelihoods are for him playing, or compare this to similar cases to see what tends to happen
