Quinshon Judkins rushes into spotlight as Steelers prepare to stop Browns rookie runner

Coming off their best defensive performance in terms of stopping the run, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a week off to savor what they accomplished against the Minnesota Vikings.

Quinshon Judkins, meanwhile, continued to play like he’s trying to make up for lost time.

The Cleveland Browns followed the Steelers across the Atlantic and faced the Vikings last Sunday in London. While the Browns were on the wrong end of a 21-17 decision, it was through no fault of Judkins, Cleveland’s rookie running back from Ohio State.

Making his fourth start, Judkins set a career high with 110 yards rushing, and he had a 56-yard touchdown run nullified by a holding call.

What Judkins has done in a short period of time has caught the Steelers’ attention as they head into a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Browns (1-4) at Acrisure Stadium.

Entering Week 6, Judkins is ninth in the NFL with 347 rushing yards. Among rookies, he ranks second, trailing No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty by 2 yards.

Jeanty, though, has played in five games this season. Judkins has played in one fewer because he of an off-field incident and holdout that carried into the first week of the regular season. Judkins didn’t sign his rookie contract until the day before the season opener, delaying his NFL debut until the second week.

“The thing that is crazy,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Thursday, “is you talk about a guy who had no preseason.”

Judkins was the third running back taken in the 2025, going to the Browns early in the second round. But he remained unsigned in July when he was arrested in Florida on accusations of domestic assault and battery. A month later, with training camp in full swing, prosecutors dropped the charges because of insufficient evidence.

Judkins, though, remained unsigned while the NFL conducted its own investigation.

“He had absolutely no training camp to speak of, and that really highlights what it is that we’re looking at,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Kudos to him and kudos to them for what he and they are able to produce.”

At Ohio State, Judkins was part of a running back tandem that included TreVeyon Henderson, who went to New England in the second round, two picks after Judkins was taken by the Browns. While Henderson has taken on a limited role as a rookie with the Patriots, Judkins has emerged as a force with the Browns.

In the games prior to his first 100-yard performance, Judkins rushed for 82 yards against Detroit and 94 against Green Bay.

“What stands out is his contact balance and strength,” Austin said. “He is a powerful guy. He’ll run right through tackles and arm tackles. He’s not afraid to challenge guys. If you’re coming at him, you better put your big boy pads on because he’s going to run right through you. If you’re messing around, he’ll run right around you.”

Judkins has played a minimum role in the passing game, although he had an 18-yard reception against the Vikings and a 16-yarder against Detroit, showing his ability to gain yards after the catch.

“I’ve seen a lot of his video,” said Tomlin, who watched the Steelers draft two of Judkins’ Ohio State teammates in quarterback Will Howard and outside linebacker Jack Sawyer. “He’s a complete back. He’s the type of guy that can wear a defensive unit down.”

With Judkins awaiting this weekend, the Steelers (3-1) aren’t afforded the chance to rest on their laurels. In their 24-21 victory against the Vikings in Dublin, they allowed a season-low 70 yards rushing and held Minnesota to 3.5 yards per carry.

“This is one of the best groups in the league,” defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said. “Year in and year out you talk about their rushing game. It starts with their O-line being established.”

Judkins has benefited from playing behind a core interior trio of established veterans: guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller and center Ethan Pocic. Bitonio has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past seven seasons and has been named to the first or second All-Pro team on five occasions. Teller is a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and Pocic is entering his fourth season manning the pivot for Cleveland.

“This means we get to play big-boy football,” Heyward said. “You can sit up here and talk about how good Quinshon Judkins is and rightfully so, but I think it starts with those guys, them leaning on the defensive line and always falling forward. That leads to them having a big day.”