Browns Rookie RB Quinshon Judkins Avoids Charges, NFL Discipline Still Possible

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins will not face criminal charges stemming from a July arrest in Florida, but his situation with the NFL is far from over.

According to a Broward County Attorney’s Office memorandum obtained by NFL Media, prosecutors declined to move forward on a misdemeanor battery/domestic violence case against Judkins, citing a lack of evidence and a low likelihood of conviction.

The memo detailed why the case was dropped: there was no surveillance footage of the incident, no independent witnesses, and inconsistencies between alleged injuries and available video from the same timeframe. Prosecutors also pointed to a delayed report of the incident as a major factor, noting that the victim had opportunities to come forward earlier but did not.

Judkins, 21, was arrested in July after being charged with touch or strike battery/domestic violence, according to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. While the criminal matter is now closed, the NFL is continuing its own review under the league’s personal conduct policy.

“We have been following developments in the matter which remains under review,” a league spokesman told NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo.

The Browns’ second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Judkins was taken No. 36 overall after a standout year at Ohio State, where he rushed for 1,060 yards and won a national championship. That followed two strong seasons at Ole Miss before transferring to Columbus.

Currently unsigned, Judkins’ NFL debut could still be delayed if the league decides to issue discipline.

What This Means for the Browns

The Browns are facing uncertainty in their backfield. Judkins was expected to contribute immediately as a dynamic runner out of the draft, giving Cleveland a fresh playmaker behind or alongside Nick Chubb. With his status in limbo, the team may need to rely more heavily on veteran backs or adjust the rotation in the early weeks of the season. Even a short suspension could affect game-planning and the rookie’s development timeline, meaning the Browns will have to stay flexible until the league finalizes its decision.