BEREA — There have been multiple theories on what the exact play call was for the Browns’ second failed two-pont conversion play late in their Dec. 7 loss to the Tennessee Titans. There have been multiple attempts to get at least one of the primary participants to say what they assumed was going to happened.
The one who had the football at the snap, and at the critical point when the play broke down, was finally asked about it. Five days after the play occurred, Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins wasn’t going to say anything more than anyone else involved in the play had to say.
“I don’t really want to get into the details of the play,” Judkins said Dec. 12. “Like I said, man, just really just trying to do our job as an offense, try to make it happen.”
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The Browns were forced to try for the second two-point conversion after an initial two-point try when they pulled within 31-23 with 4:27 remaining resulted in a fumbled snap by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who had scored on a 7-yard run. Sanders’ 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. with 1:03 left pulled them within 31-29.
That’s when the Browns went to their second two-point conversion play. Judkins pushed back at the insinuation he didn’t have enough practice with the specific play.
“Yeah, gotten a lot of reps at it,” Judkins said. “Coaches trust me, trust everybody in that position at that point in the game. So, yeah.”
Judkins took the direct snap and ran to his right, while wide receiver Gage Larvadain was running the opposite way. As the two passed by each other, it appeared Judkins realized he was supposed to get the ball to Larvadain, as he seemed to briefly contemplate trying to do so even after the wide receiver passed by him.
The running back eventually, in desperation mode, fired a pass across the field to Larvadain. The Titans, though, broke it up, sealing the Browns’ fate.
“I think definitely frustrated,” Judkins said. “It’s been a long season for all of us, and then at that point we just want to try to go out and get a win. And, like I said, it didn’t happen. So here we are now, just trying to prepare for our game versus Chicago.”
Judkins figures to be a significant piece of the Browns’ game plan when they play at the Chicago Bears Dec. 14, maybe even more than the rookie has been in previous games.
First is the weather conditions, with the temperature on game day only supposed to climb into the low teens, if even that high. It’s the kind of conditions that favor the old-school run game.
“I just try to go out and do my job,” Judkins said. “It’s going to be really cold but, like I said, just try to be accountable and know my teammates can depend on me to do my job.”
The bigger reason why Judkins figures to be such a large factor is the injuries the Browns have sustained behind him. Dylan Sampson is out with a calf injury, and Jerome Ford’s season is over with a trip to injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
That leaves Judkins as the only running back on the active roster with any significant carries. Rookie Raheim “Rocket” Sanders has been inactive for the last 12 games since scoring a touchdown while gaining three yards on a three carries in the season opener, and Trayveon Williams was signed off the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad earlier in the week.
Just as concerning are the injuries up front that will force the Browns to use their ninth different starting offensive line combination. Right tackle Jack Conklin (concussion), right guard Wyatt Teller (calf) and center Ethan Pocic (Achilles) are all already out for the game — Pocic for the rest of the season — and left guard Joel Bitonio is questionable because of back and knee issues.
“I feel like for myself, just try to continue to stay poised and have belief in what our coaches implement each and every week,” Judkins said, “and then belief in the guys that are blocking for me and in front of me. So just changing, with the different changes, not changing my mentality and still trying to attack and do what I can.”
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Quinshon Judkins trying to ‘make it happen’ on Browns failed 2-point try
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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