CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns will be without running back Quinshon Judkins and defensive tackle Mason Graham for Sunday's AFC North matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, leaving the team with two more problems to overcome.
Judkins has been dealing with an ankle injury suffered during last week's 17-12 loss to the New York Jets. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, and although he returned on a limited basis Friday, he was unable to get cleared for Sunday's game.
His absence leaves Cleveland without one of its main offensive weapons against a talented Baltimore defense. The Browns will need their other running backs to step up, particularly with quarterback Deshaun Watson already facing a difficult assignment against the Ravens' pass rush.
Cleveland will also be without running back Dylan Sampson, who was ruled out with a knee injury, leaving the Browns particularly thin in the backfield.
The situation isn't much better on defense.
Graham has been dealing with knee and ankle injuries that also kept him out against the Jets. Mike Hall Jr. and Kalia Davis were already ruled out, leaving Cleveland short on defensive line depth against Derrick Henry and Baltimore's dangerous rushing attack.
The Browns elevated defensive tackles Sam Kamara and Chris Williams from the practice squad Saturday to help fill the gaps.
With Lamar Jackson ruled out for Baltimore, Cleveland's defensive game plan figures to focus heavily on stopping Henry and forcing backup quarterback Tyler Huntley to win through the air. Without Graham and two other defensive linemen, that assignment becomes even tougher.
Cleveland (3-2) hosts Baltimore (4-1) at Huntington Bank Field, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
