The Cleveland Browns have been dealt a tough late-season blow. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins went down during the team’s Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills after suffering a leg injury, an issue that officially brought his rookie season to an early end with just a couple of games remaining.

With Judkins sidelined and his roster spot opened up, Cleveland moved quickly. The Browns have since signed offensive lineman Kendrick Green to the active roster after claiming him off Buffalo’s practice squad. The team made the news official on Wednesday, noting, “We’ve signed OL Kendrick Green to the active roster off Buffalo’s practice squad.”

A former third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft, Green was thrust into the starting lineup during Ben Roethlisberger’s final season. The results were uneven. Over 975 snaps at center, Green struggled. He committed nine penalties while allowing 18 pressures and three sacks.

Since then, Green has bounced around the league. After being traded by Pittsburgh, he spent time with the Houston Texans before landing in Buffalo ahead of the 2025 season on a one-year deal. While the Bills released him at the end of training camp, Green remained with the organization on the practice squad until Cleveland came calling. In total, he has appeared in 36 career games.

Now in Cleveland, Green could find himself with an opportunity sooner rather than later as he takes the spot vacated by Quinshon Judkins. The Browns are dealing with injuries along the offensive line. Cleveland has placed right tackle Jack Conklin on injured reserve. Additionally, interior linemen Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller have also been limited in recent weeks with knee and calf issues, respectively.

Whether Green earns a start remains to be seen. But given the Browns’ current situation up front, his signing comes at a critical moment, as the team continues to absorb the loss of Judkins down the stretch.

Kevin Stefanski addressed Quinshon Judkins’ injury

Following the Browns’ 23–20 loss to the Bills last Sunday, head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Quinshon Judkins fractured his fibula and dislocated his knee. The injury will sideline the rookie running back for the final two games of the season and send him into a lengthy recovery process heading into his second NFL year.

“Quinshon had an ankle dislocation, fractured his fibula,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, very disappointed for the young man. He will bounce back. I have zero doubt about that. With him, obviously, you never want to see that with any of your guys. So, he’ll get surgery. He’ll be back in no time. I know that.”

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The injury occurred late in the second quarter when Judkins was tackled on a screen pass in open space. It caused his lower right leg to twist awkwardly, and he immediately went down in pain. Soon after, the RB received attention from trainers on the field and was later carted off, with the Browns quickly ruling him out for the remainder of the game.

Before the injury abruptly ended his rookie season, Judkins had been one of Cleveland’s few offensive bright spots. Despite the Browns’ struggles, he rushed for 805 yards and seven touchdowns across 13 games, adding 142 receiving yards on 21 catches. Now, Judkins turns his focus to recovery, with Stefanski confident the young back will return stronger in 2026.