Content warning: This article contains depictions of alleged domestic assault.
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was arrested on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on a domestic violence charge.
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Officers responded to a call around 9 a.m. on Saturday, and determined “a battery had occurred” after speaking with the victim, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department told ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi. The alleged incident, however, happened on July 7. According to CBS News Miami, the alleged victim and Judkins came to South Florida as “friends,” and she remained in the city for five additional days.
After making contact on Saturday, Officers then arrested Judkins and transported him to the Broward County Main Jail. Further specifics of the incident are not yet known. Judkins was released on bond on Sunday. The judge found probable cause and ordered there be no contact with the victim and no firearm access, per the report.
The alleged victim described Judkins becoming upset with her after they got off a flight at Fort Lauderdale International Airport. She claimed that she initially didn’t know what upset Judkins, but later discovered that it was from reading text messages from family members, according to the police report released on July 14.
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As she stuttered due to anxiety while trying to explain, Judkins allegedly “punched her in the mouth/chin with a closed fist,” said the arrest report. According to police, she had visible bruising on her chin area. Later after pulling the vehicle over, the victim was allegedly struck again by Judkins in the left arm and thigh. Bruising was also apparent in those areas.
Asked why she didn’t call police immediately, the victim said “she felt bad due to the recent success and career of the defendant.” However, after talking with family and friends the next day, she decided to report the incident.
The Browns said in a statement, via the Akron Beacon Journal’s Chris Easterling, that they are “aware and gathering information.” The NFL said it was “aware of the matter,” but declined to comment further.
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The Browns selected Judkins in the second round of the NFL Draft earlier this spring out of Ohio State, where he helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship a few months prior. Judkins scored three touchdowns in their title game win over Notre Dame. He transferred to Ohio State from Ole Miss ahead of the 2024 season, and he led the team with 1,060 rushing yards.
Judkins is expected to get a significant portion of the carries for the Browns this season along with Jerome Ford. The team lost running back Nick Chubb in free agency, so they selected Judkins and Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson in the draft in an effort to bolster the position.
Browns rookies are expected to report for training camp Friday. Judkins is the only member of the team’s rookie class who has yet to sign his contract, and is one of 30 second-round picks from this past draft who’s yet to sign, reportedly over guaranteed money.