What's Wrong With the Cleveland Brown Rushing Attack?

While the Cleveland Browns are basking in the glow of a surprising 23-19 victory in Tampa, that even Mother Nature couldn’t stop, not all is well in The Land. The defense stepped up and did its job, the passing game looked surprisingly decent, and the rookie offensive linemen are already way ahead of schedule and doing big things.

However, there is one area that the Browns need to improve dramatically, and quickly, as we head into the opener at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. The running game has been a disaster so far this season.

Quinshon Judkins Just Lacks any Burst Right now

Browns second-year running back Quinshon Judkins was a tremendous surprise last season. He registered 827 rushing yards, seven touchdowns and another 26 receptions for 171 yards across 14 games as a rookie in 2025. However, in a game on Dec. 21, 2025, he suffered a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula, ending his rookie season prematurely.

It’s miraculous that Judkins was able to return for most of the offseason program, training camp and the preseason, and he has started both of the regular season for the Browns. But, he just seems to lack that burst that he had pre-injury, and he is not getting the job done right now despite surprisingly decent play from the offensive line.

In Week 1 against the Jaguars, Judkins had 12 carries for just 33 yards, with his longest run going for just five yards. We can give him a pass, however, as the Browns quickly dug a deep hole in the 34-10 blowout loss in Jacksonville, getting away from the run-heavy offense in a blowout loss that changed the game plan.

However, in Week 2 at Tampa, a close game on a natural surface, the offensive line play was again strong, the passing game was effective, which should have taken pressure off of the run game. Instead, Judkins went for just 21 yards on 12 carries, averaging a paltry 1.8 yards per carry. He made up for it, somewhat, racking up five receptions for 27 yards, but he hasn’t had a run of nine or more yards on 24 carries this season, and the lack of burst is concerning.

Who Else Will Step up and Provide Relief?