Quinshon Judkins gets honest about the practice mistake Todd Monken called out

Quinshon Judkins appears to have taken Todd Monken’s message to heart after he delivered a questionable hit in training camp on teammate Mike Hall Jr.

Judkins delivered a forceful block on defensive tackle Hall during a non-padded practice, knocking the 290-pound lineman to the turf. Hall appeared vulnerable on the play, which prompted Monken to speak directly with Judkins about the incident.

“There is a certain amount of regret at the moment when it happens,” Monken said. “You’ve got to fight to not get hijacked emotionally in a highly emotional game for all of us, whether it’s in our work or our personal lives."

The message resonated with Judkins, who is entering his second year and is expected to hold a significant role within the offense.

“For me, it was just basically you’ve got to protect the team, got to protect your teammates,” Judkins said. “Even though you guys are out there competing, at the end of the day, we’re not against each other. You know what I’m saying? So that’s really the main goal. And that’s what everybody has on this team as far as the vision is to go out there and win each and every football game and making sure your guys are healthy.”

The Browns have endured a grueling training camp schedule and faced only their teammates since reporting in late July. That will change Saturday when Cleveland opens the preseason against the Chicago Bears.

Judkins and the rest of the starters are not expected to play much, but the matchup will give the Browns a chance to channel some built-up aggression toward a new opponent after weeks of hitting each other.

Quinshon Judkins not distracted by unsettled quarterback situation

Judkins is coming off a strong rookie season in which he rushed for 827 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games. His year ended prematurely after he dislocated his right ankle and fractured his fibula in Week 16, but he has returned to full strength and is firmly established as Cleveland’s lead back.

The biggest remaining question for the Browns is at quarterback. The competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson has dominated the conversation around the team, though Judkins said the constant attention has not become a distraction.

“Never,” Judkins said. “I would never say it’s a distraction just because we have a great head coach. Coach Monken keeps us focused on the things that matter. And it goes back to team. That’s what’s most important. At the end of the day, we go out there and compete at practice and we have each other’s back. So we go in the quarterback room, each and every one of those guys, they support each other no matter who throws a pick or who throws a touchdown. They still act the same way. None of those guys change. So I think that’s what’s important.”

Whoever wins the quarterback job will inherit a much-improved supporting cast. The Browns hired Monken to revive an offense that averaged just 16.4 points per game last season, ranking 31st in the NFL. Along with Judkins, Cleveland has several intriguing young weapons, including tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and rookie receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.

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