The Cleveland Browns received a much-needed glimmer of hope regarding the future of rookie running back Quinshon Judkins.

After a frightening scene that saw the standout rookie carted off the field, early reports suggest that the path back to the gridiron may be clearer than initially feared. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the current expectation is that Judkins should be back on the practice field in approximately four to five months. This timeline follows the news that the young back will undergo surgery to repair a dislocated right ankle and a fractured fibula, an injury that has prematurely ended his impressive debut campaign in which he produced 997 scrimmage yards and seven total touchdowns.

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As reported by Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Judkins is set for surgery this week to address the ankle dislocation and the fibula fracture. While the season-ending nature of the injury is a significant blow to a Browns offense that has leaned heavily on the rookie’s production, the medical team provided one critical piece of good news: there is no damage to any of his knee ligaments. This is a vital distinction, as avoiding a complex knee reconstruction significantly simplifies the rehabilitation process.

Despite the optimism surrounding his knee, the recovery from an ankle dislocation of this magnitude is rarely straightforward. If the surgical team discovers significant ankle ligament damage during the procedure, the recovery could potentially stretch to mirror the length of a typical knee injury, depending on the specific interventions required. A major factor in his 2026 availability will be the type of stabilization used. If the injury can be addressed using a TightRope procedure, a flexible fixation that does not require metal hardware, it could be wheels up for the start of the 2026 season.

However, the timeline becomes more complicated if the surgeons must utilize metal plates and screws to stabilize the fractured fibula and the ankle joint. In many professional athletes, the presence of internal hardware requires a second, follow-up procedure to remove the metal once the bone has fully healed.

This secondary surgery is often necessary to restore full range of motion and prevent irritation during high-impact activity such as football, but it inevitably delays the final stages of rehabilitation. The team and Judkins will be closely monitoring whether his initial surgery can provide stability without the long-term presence of rigid metal.

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Fans looking for a realistic comparison need only look at Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin. In Week 7 of 2024, Godwin suffered a nearly identical injury, a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula, against the Baltimore Ravens.

While the specifics of his initial surgery were kept private, Godwin’s journey proved to be a long one. He required a second surgery in the spring of 2025 to ensure the ankle was healing correctly and to optimize his performance. Ultimately, Godwin was not able to return to full game action until Week 4 of the 2025 season, nearly a full calendar year after the initial break.

While the future remains uncertain for Judkins as he prepares for his operation, the Cleveland faithful can take solace in the fact that the “all-clear” on his knee ligaments provides a clearer picture for his eventual return. The next few months will be defined by his response to the surgery, subsequent physical therapy and finally, NFL training.

If all goes well and he avoids the complications that necessitated a second procedure for players like Godwin, Judkins could very well be leading the Browns’ backfield when the 2026 season kicks off.

This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns provide positive update on Quinshon Judkins injury status