Njoku suffered a knee injury during Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Commanders, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Njoku finished the game with only one catch for 14 yards on three targets, while backup Jordan Akins caught a touchdown late in the lopsided loss. Njoku had missed Cleveland's previous three games due to a high-ankle sprain. It remains to be seen if Njoku's new injury will impact his availability for Week 6 against the Eagles.
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Browns' David Njoku: Active status confirmed
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Njoku (ankle) is active Week 5 against the Commanders.
Njoku was able to log multiple limited practices this week, setting the stage for a return from a three-game absence. Assuming no limitations, Njoku will presumably retake the role of primary tight end from Jordan Akins, who had been filling in during his absence. Though it's a small sample size, the Commanders have been tough against tight ends this season, giving up the second-fewest fantasy points per game in both standard and PPR formats.
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Browns' David Njoku: In line to play Sunday
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Njoku (ankle) is listed as questionable but is expected to play Sunday against the Commanders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Njoku missed the past three games due to a high-ankle sprain he suffered against Dallas in Week 1. He managed just two limited practices this week, though it's worth noting that his absence from Thursday's session was a scheduled day off. Because he isn't yet practicing fully and is coming off a three-game absence, Njoku could be subject to a more limited snap count than what he might usually handle. The Browns elevated tight end Geoff Swaim from the practice squad Saturday as insurance for Njoku.
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Browns' David Njoku: Questionable but hopes to play
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Njoku (ankle), who is listed as questionable, said he's feeling "pretty good" and is hoping to return Sunday against the Commanders, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Njoku practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday and Friday, while he had a scheduled day off Thursday. His fantasy managers are advised to have a replacement lined up for a fourth consecutive week. Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart have been filling in for Njoku, but Njoku is a far more accomplished pass catcher than either backup when all three are healthy.
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Browns' David Njoku: Officially questionable for Sunday
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Njoku (ankle) officially is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Commanders, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Njoku will have a chance to retake the field Sunday after a three-game absence. The standout tight end returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant before he received a planned day of rest Thursday. The Browns may wait to see how Njoku looks in pregame warmups Sunday before making a final decision on his availability, in which case his status may not be made official until 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart will be available to split tight end reps again if Njoku can't go.
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Browns' David Njoku: Gets planned day off
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Njoku (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
According to Cabot, Njoku's absence is a planned off day, after he returned to practice Wednesday in a limited fashion after having not taken the field in any capacity since spraining his ankle in the Week 1 loss to the Cowboys. Njoku is expected to return to practice Friday, and the Browns will wait and see on how much activity he's able to handle before a determination is made on his availability for Sunday's game against the Commanders. Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart have been splitting the playing time at tight end during Njoku's absence.
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Browns' David Njoku: Returns to practice
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Njoku (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Njoku was expected to resume practicing this week, but Stefanski didn't comment on expectations for the tight end for Sunday's game at Washington. With Njoku out the past three weeks, Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart split playing time at tight end.
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Browns' David Njoku: To resume practicing this week
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday he expects Njoku (ankle) to practice this week, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Stefanski declined to state whether he expects Njoku to actually suit up Week 5 against the Commanders, but it's at least encouraging that the athletic tight end is on track to get back on the field. Njoku missed last Friday's practice before being ruled out for a third straight contest, despite having logged a limited session Thursday. Jordan Akins has handled the Browns' starting tight end gig for three consecutive games with Njoku sidelined, securing six of 10 targets for 49 yards and zero touchdowns in that span.
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Browns' David Njoku: Won't return this week
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Coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Njoku (ankle) isn't slated to practice Friday and won't play Sunday against the Raiders, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
With Njoku in line to miss his third straight contest, Jordan Akins will continue to lead the Browns' tight end corps versus Las Vegas, while Blake Whiteheart is on hand in reserve. Geoff Swaim and Cameron Latu are possible practice squad elevations. Njoku will target a potential return to action Sunday, Oct. 6 against the Commanders.
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Browns' David Njoku: Returns to practice Thursday
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Njoku (ankle) returned to practice Thursday as a limited participant, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Per Cabot, Njoku was spotted in full uniform in the media-access portion of Thursday's practice and was taking part in individual work, but the Browns seemingly held the tight end out of drills. In any case, Njoku's return to the field in any fashion is a welcome sight after he hadn't practiced since Sept. 6 and missed the last two games due to a high-ankle sprain. A determination on Njoku's status for this Sunday's game in Las Vegas has yet to be made, but he'll likely need to put in a full practice Friday to at the very least avoid taking a designation into the contest.
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Browns' David Njoku: Still not practicing
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Njoku (ankle) isn't in line to practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Njoku has missed two straight contests due to a high-ankle sprain, and his status for Sunday's game against the Raiders remains uncertain while he continues to sit out practice. That said, Cabot relays that Njoku is expected to get some work in later in the week, offering some hope that he could put an end to his two-game absence Sunday. If, however, Njoku remains out versus Las Vegas, Jordan Akins would continue to lead the Browns' tight-end corps.
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Browns' David Njoku: Uncertain for Week 4
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Coach Kevin Stefanski said, "We'll see," Monday when asked whether Njoku (ankle) will be available Week 4 against the Raiders, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Stefanski said the Browns will have a better idea of Njoku's status Wednesday, the same day the team's first official injury report of Week 4 will be released. The standout tight end has missed back-to-back games due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in the Browns' Week 1 loss to the Cowboys, and he hasn't yet managed to resume practicing. Jordan Akins, who caught four of seven targets for 29 yards in Sunday's 21-15 loss to the Giants, has operated as Cleveland's top tight end with Njoku out of commission.
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Browns' David Njoku: Won't play Sunday
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Njoku (ankle) won't play Sunday against the Giants, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Njoku wasn't able to practice this week and thus will miss his second straight game. In the tight end's continued absence, Jordan Akins is in line to see added snaps versus New York, while Cameron Latu, Geoff Swaim and Blake Whiteheart are potential practice-squad elevations ahead of Week 3 action.
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Browns' David Njoku: Still not practicing
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Njoku (ankle) remained sidelined at Friday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told Oyefusi on Friday that Njoku is unlikely to play Sunday against the Giants, so the tight end's continued absence from practice isn't surprising. Friday's injury report will reveal if Njoku heads into the weekend with any chance of suiting up for Week 3 action.
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Browns' David Njoku: Not practicing
Rotowire
Njoku (ankle) isn't participating in practice Wednesday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
His absence from practice comes as little surprise after head coach Kevin Stefanski said earlier Wednesday that Njoku is unlikely to play Sunday against the Giants. Njoku injured his ankle Week 1 and didn't practice or play Week 2, leaving Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart to rotate at tight end in an 18-13 win over the Jaguars this past Sunday.
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Browns' David Njoku: Not likely to play Sunday
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Njoku (ankle) is unlikely to play Sunday against the Giants, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Njoku isn't scheduled to practice Wednesday, but the Browns haven't determined whether he'll be able to mix into drills Thursday or Friday. In any case, Njoku is trending toward missing his second straight game after sitting out the Week 2 win over the Jaguars. If Njoku is unavailable versus the Giants, Jordan Akins would be in line to see added snaps, while Cameron Latu, Geoff Swaim and Blake Whiteheart would be potential practice-squad elevations to bolster the Browns' depth at tight end.
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Browns' David Njoku: Not in line to practice Wednesday
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Njoku (ankle) isn't expected to practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Njoku will have two more chances to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants. At this stage, head coach Kevin Stefanski hasn't ruled out the possibility of the tight end being available this weekend after having been inactive for the Browns' Week 2 win over the Jaguars.
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Browns' David Njoku: Labeled week-to-week
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Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Njoku (ankle) is week-to-week, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Stefanski declined to confirm whether Njoku suffered a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's loss to the Cowboys, per Petrak, which Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports is the fear for the Pro Bowl tight end. Jordan Akins is currently the only healthy tight end on Cleveland's active roster, though the team also has Cameron Latu and Blake Whiteheart on the practice squad. Being labeled week-to-week creates serious doubt about Njoku's availability for Sunday's road game in Jacksonville, but the tight end hasn't yet been officially ruled out from playing.
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Browns' David Njoku: Healthy heading into Week 1
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Njoku (undisclosed) wasn't listed on Cleveland's injury report Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Njoku practiced without limitations and should be good to go for Sunday's season opener against the Cowboys. The 28-year-old tight end set career highs with 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2023, but most of that production came with quarterbacks other than Deshaun Watson, who is set to reprise the starting role under center after having recovered from a shoulder injury.
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Browns' David Njoku: In line to practice Tuesday
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Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Njoku (undisclosed) will practice Tuesday, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
Njoku has been kept off the practice field since mid-August due to soreness, and he also missed Cleveland's preseason finale Saturday. If the standout tight end is indeed able to get back on the practice field Tuesday, it will assuage most concerns about his Week 1 availability. Njoku still has nearly two weeks to get fully healthy before the Browns' regular-season opener against the Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 8.
