With all the attention surrounding the Cleveland Browns and the organization’s plan for the 2026 NFL Draft, the first day of voluntary minicamp has been pushed to the back burner this offseason.
Still, as the struggling franchise continues to prepare for the upcoming NFL season, fans were able to see their first glance at some of the team’s key players this year. And to the surprise of many, the Browns received a positive update regarding 2025 second-round pick Quinshon Judkins on Tuesday after his rookie season was cut short due to a season-ending injury.
According to Browns beat reporter Camryn Justice, Judkins was spotted on the field during Tuesday’s minicamp session, which is a promising sign for the young running back.
#Browns RB Quinshon Judkins on the fields for voluntary minicamp as he rehabs last season’s knee injury. pic.twitter.com/4sX9Murfws
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) April 21, 2026
How will Quinshon Judkins perform after his knee injury?
Coming off a National Championship victory in the 2024-25 College Football Playoffs, Judkins was regarded as one of the top running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft class. His impressive 1,000-yard season with the Ohio State Buckeyes paved the way for him to be selected by the Browns with the No. 36 pick in hopes that he could replace star rusher Nick Chubb.
After missing the first game of the 2025 NFL season due to an off-field incident, Judkins quickly became Cleveland’s top running back, as he recorded 237 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his first four games. His stout play would continue throughout the course of the regular season, finishing the year with 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns before his season was cut short against the Buffalo Bills in Week 16.
Looking ahead to Judkins’ future outlook with the Browns in 2026 and beyond, it remains unclear as to when he will be fully healthy. However, his return to the field during voluntary minicamp is a terrific sign for the Browns’ offense heading into next season, especially with the uncertainty at the quarterback position.
In order for Judkins to truly take the next step in 2026, the highly-touted running back must become more efficient on the ground. Judkins averaged 3.7 yards per carry as a rookie, with a good portion of the blame being placed on the offensive line. Luckily for the young talent, general manager Andrew Berry completely revamped the offensive line this offseason, giving him an excellent opportunity to take a massive leap this season.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns receive positive update on star RB Quinshon Judkins