BEREA, Ohio — Early in the third quarter of the Browns’ 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers, Quinshon Judkins made his presence known.
It wasn’t via one of his 18 carries, or even his touchdown that ended up tying the game.
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Instead, it was on a chip block of Packers star edge rusher Micah Parsons. As the two collided, Judkins, Cleveland’s rookie running back out of Ohio State, got both arms into Parson’s shoulders, and overpowered Green Bay’s $47-million-a-year man as right guard Wyatt Teller cleaned up the play, pushing Parsons to the grass.
As Parsons got up, his steely gaze was set on Judkins, a right pointer finger facing in his direction.
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“He was like, ‘I’m coming for you,’” Judkins said on Friday. “I was like, yeah, that was me. That was me.”
Did Parsons make good on that promise?
“He tried a couple of times but he didn’t get to me,” Judkins quipped.
Indeed, even the formidable Parsons or the then-No. 2-ranked Packers’ run defense couldn’t slow down the Browns rookie, who finished with 94 yards on those 18 carries.
In the fourth quarter, he ripped off a 38-yard run from the Cleveland 34, a key play on the drive that led to Andre Szmyt’s 35-yard field goal that got Cleveland on the board.
About six minutes later, it was also Judkins who rushed in for a 1-yard touchdown, capitalizing on Grant Delpit’s interception.
He was undoubtedly a key piece in Cleveland’s upset victory, and it’s a testament to how quickly he’s coming along with the Browns.
“Obviously, it feels like he’s been here a lot longer, but it’s a couple weeks, three weeks, maybe less,” said Browns OC Tommy Rees. “So to see where he is today and where he was when he first got here, where he’ll be in three weeks. I think optimistic about how he’s prepping and how he’s putting himself in a position to have success.”
The Browns’ No. 36 overall pick, Judkins missed all of training camp after a July arrest for domestic battery in Florida. He met with NFL officials in New York City regarding that arrest, for which he wasn’t formally charged, on Sept. 10.
He didn’t sign his $11.4 million contract until Sept. 6 and practiced with the Browns just two days before making his debut against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. In that game, he rushed for 61 yards on 10 carries.
Judkins is still awaiting a league ruling under the Personal Conduct Policy, but is free to play in the meantime.
But even when he was away from the team, the studying on top of a rigorous workout schedule, helped him stay ready and maintain what he had learned previously in the offseason program.
“Just studying,” Judkins said. “That’s being a football player, those are things that come with time. Obviously you can do a lot of different things and it won’t equal up to playing football at the end of the day, but just focus in, being a football player. Just trying to do your best off the field. Schematically, better yourself.”
The Browns will need everything Judkins can give them, as the offense currently ranks 30th averaging just 15.3 points per game, and 29th averaging only 86.7 rushing yards.
But Judkins is ready to carry whatever weight the Browns need him to. After scoring that touchdown against the Packers on Sunday, Judkins said that he wants the ball in those high-pressure situations.
“And that’s what you want from your running back,” position coach Duce Staley said. ” You want a running back that wants the ball at all times. Now, he’s not going to be able to get it, of course, at all times, but that’s why you harp on, when you do get the opportunity to take full advantage of it. But he definitely has that.”
This week will be the next test for Judkins and Cleveland, facing a tough Detroit Lions front on the road.
Detroit’s defense is giving up an average of 99.0 rushing yards per game, ranked 11th in the league.
And Judkins, who came so close to 100 yards last week, would certainly love another shot to eclipse that marker and help lead the Browns to what would be an upset win.
“As a competitor for myself, I say you strive to be the best you can be, but at the end of the day, I’m here to win,” Judkins said. “I’m here to help my team and contribute in any way I can. So that’s my mindset every time I step on the field.”
The rookie has already shown he’s not afraid of the moment — or of anyone lined up across from him.