Browns reportedly add Audric Estime as Quinshon Judkins’ injury status remains day-to-day

The Cleveland Browns, dealing with a recent running back injury concern, are reportedly adding Audric Estime to bolster their backfield depth. The move comes as Cleveland weighs how to manage its rushing production after Quinshon Judkins left Week 5 in a walking boot, an issue that has raised questions entering Week 6.

According to the report, Browns head coach Todd Monken said Monday that Judkins is day-to-day. Monken also indicated that linebacker Carson Schwesinger is day-to-day as well, indicating that Cleveland is monitoring multiple health matters rather than planning only from a single-bodyview of its Week 5 snap counts.

The timing is notable because the Browns are preparing for a divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. AFC North games tend to turn on short-yardage efficiency and sustained drives, two areas that can become harder when a featured ball carrier is limited, even if “day-to-day” suggests a return might still be possible.

Cleveland’s interest in bringing in another former Broncos running back also aligns with the broader need to keep the ground game functional through any personnel variability. The report frames the overall rushing attack as a struggle most of the 2026 season, which would make depth and play design flexibility particularly important if Judkins’ availability changes between now and kickoff.

While the reported addition of Estime points toward an immediate impact plan, the league reality is that adding a running back does not solve every rush problem on its own. Offensive line consistency, situational play calling, and the ability to protect the ball in tempo-managing drives often determine whether a run game returns to form or remains stalled. In that sense, the Browns’ next game plan will likely be measured by whether they can keep production steady, not just whether they have more bodies in the backfield.

For the Ravens, the situation presents a familiar kind of early-season test: can Baltimore force Cleveland into passing downs if a key runner’s workload is reduced? For Cleveland, the counter is whether a change in personnel, combined with day-to-day monitoring, lets them sustain drives and generate enough rushing attempts to keep the playbook balanced. The next update on Judkins’ status will be one of the most direct indicators of how much the Browns can rely on their usual ground structure.