Cleveland Browns players face gruesome Quinshon Judkins injury against Bills, here’s who stepped in to replace him

Cleveland Browns players face an uphill battle against Buffalo’s dominant defense as rookie running back Quinshon Judkins exits with a gruesome leg injury. The Bills lead 20-10 at halftime, with backup Raheim “Rocket” Sanders entering the game under immense pressure in Week 16.

Quinshon Judkins’ Devastating Injury Casts Shadow on Browns Season

The Cleveland Browns suffered a significant blow on Sunday when rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was carted off the field with a serious right leg injury. The injury occurred late in the second quarter when Judkins caught a swing pass from quarterback Shedeur Sanders and was immediately tackled by Milano. His lower leg twisted unnaturally during the collision.

Judkins, who has emerged as one of the bright spots in the Browns’ disappointing season, was placed in an aircast and quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. The CBS broadcast team made the decision not to replay the injury, a clear indication of how serious the situation appeared to medical professionals on the sideline.

The loss of Judkins represents a major setback for Cleveland’s already limited offensive weapons heading into the final stretch of the season. His presence in the backfield has provided occasional offensive spark during an otherwise difficult year.

Undrafted Rookie Takes Over in Chaotic Second Half

Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, an undrafted rookie, has stepped into the starting role after Judkins’ injury forced his exit. Sanders, 23 years old, played college football at Arkansas and then South Carolina before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers during the offseason. The Browns acquired him after he was released, giving him an opportunity on Cleveland’s roster in 2025.

With backup Dylan Sampson already inactive due to a hand injury, Sanders has become the only healthy running back option available for the struggling offense. He must adapt quickly to a high-pressure situation against a Bills defense that has dominated the game through two quarters with multiple rushing touchdowns.

Head Coach Kevin Stefanski is counting on the young runner to stabilize the ground game and provide some relief for Shedeur Sanders, who is making his fifth start of the season under mounting pressure.

Buffalo’s Dominant Performance Puts Cleveland Behind the Eight Ball

Team	Record	Half Score	Spread
Buffalo Bills	10-4	20	-10.5 (favored)
Cleveland Browns	3-11	10	Underdogs

The Buffalo Bills have completely dominated the Cleveland Browns through the first half of Week 16 play. Teams that finished with winning records last season historically give Cleveland trouble, and that trend continues here. Buffalo’s powerful rushing attack has accumulated 133 rushing yards and three touchdowns by halftime alone.

Josh Allen and the Bills offense are executing their game plan to near perfection against a Browns defense that has shown vulnerability in recent weeks. The 10-point spread appears conservative given Buffalo’s performance through two quarters. Huntington Bank Field has been unable to provide any home-field advantage.

Shedeur Sanders Searching for Answers Against Elite Defense

Shedeur Sanders is being tested severely as the Browns quarterback in this high-pressure situation at home. The fifth-year draft pick is facing a Bills pass defense ranked among the league’s best while simultaneously dealing with the loss of his primary rushing weapon. Early reads suggest the offense is unable to find any rhythm.

Sanders has shown promise in limited starts, but consistency remains an issue. Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Sanders will continue as the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season, making games like this critical for his development and evaluation.

The Browns offense needs to establish some form of consistency in the second half, but without Judkins in the backfield, play-calling options have become significantly limited. Buffalo’s defensive approach seems perfectly designed to shut down what Cleveland is attempting to do offensively.

Can Cleveland Mount Second-Half Comeback Against Odds?

The Cleveland Browns trail by 10 points and have lost their star rookie running back to injury while seeing their second-string backup forced into action. Historically, teams at 3-11 facing 10-4 opponents rarely stage compelling comebacks, especially when facing disciplined defensive units like Buffalo’s. The second half will test the resilience of a struggling team facing mounting injuries.

Raheim Sanders and Shedeur Sanders must work together to create some offensive momentum, but expectations remain low given the circumstances. Cleveland is looking at one of their most difficult matchups of the season at one of the worst possible times. The question isn’t whether they can win—it’s whether they can make this game competitive in the final two quarters.

Tune in to see if the Browns can find any answers in the second half or if the Bills continue their dominant performance through the final 30 minutes of play.

Sources

• ESPN – Live game coverage and box score statistics
• NFL.com – Official league game information and roster updates
• CBS Sports – Real-time injury reports and injury management