Quinshon Judkins season-ending injury overshadows another tough Browns loss, dampening the holiday season in Cleveland
At the Cleveland Orchestra Chirstmas concert on Saturday night, a beautiful rendition of 12 Days of Christmas rang through the auditorium at Severance Music Hall, only they changed the lyrics. Every single gift given in this new version of the holiday classic was Cleveland themed. There were Playhouse Square tickets. Fishnet Lamps. Christmas Ales.
But rounding out every verse of the song as the first thing their true love gave to them was a Cleveland Browns victory. That gift didn't arrive on Sunday. The Buffalo Bills, instead, handed the Browns their 12th loss of the season, 23-20.
With just two weeks remaining, it may not arrive at all before the 2025 season is out.
But the game wasn't even the biggest thing the Browns lost on Sunday. With 2 minutes left in the second quarter, rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders lofted a swing pass to fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins to his right. Judkins caught the ball and turned up field.
Like a heat-seeking missile, Bills linebacker Matt Malano came flying in, wrapped up Judkins around the legs and dislodged the ball from Judkins for a fumble that the Bills returned for six. Replay review later determined that Judkins was down by contact. The only problem is he stayed down.
On the replay it became evident that as Malano was making the tackle, Judkins plat leg had been bent in a way it wasn't supposed to be. As he pounded the turf with his fist, reality set in. The cart came out. Air cast applied. His season is over.
For the Browns as a whole that's been the case for a while. At 3-12 on the year, everyone knows where this thing is heading for them. Amidst all the frustrations and changes that come with these types of seasons, Judkins offered a sign of hope for the future.
He and his rookie classmates have been the one thing Browns fans have had to cling to for optimism throughout another painful season. But the Browns can't have nice things.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said it was a fractured ankle, and a broken fibula. Reports immediately after the game suggested he'll have his knee looked at as well. Stefanski expressed confidence that their rising star will be back, but recoveries are never black and white. This injury will spill into the offseason at the very least, and it may take some time for him to feel fully like himself again.
It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Decembers in Cleveland, however, are notoriously tragic. This year is no different.
The Browns are snowballing toward another 3-14 record. Their young star running back is done for the season. Their search for a franchise quarterback is still unsolved. Their coach is on the hot season. The general manager may be too.
It's the holiday season in Cleveland.