David

Njoku

Njoku’s production took a massive step back in 2024 after Joe Flacco helped him reach new heights in 2023. Injuries didn’t help the situation, as Njoku was held to just 11 games this season, but his 7.9 YPR marked a new low, while his 505 yards were his fewest since 2021. Njoku will now have all offseason to get right, and will hopefully benefit from an upgrade at quarterback with Deshaun Watson’s future as a starter firmly in doubt. Now ruled out for Week 18, Jordan Akins will likely draw the start in the Browns’ season-finale.

With just one practice left in the week, it certainly looks like Njoku has played his last snap of the season. He has dealt with several injuries this year and the ankle issue has already cost him one game. Jordan Akins will be a punt TE2 option once Njoku is ruled out.

That makes four missed practices in a row and a Week 17 absence for Njoku since suffering the knee injury against the Bengals in Week 16. Jordan Akins could have desperation/DFS appeal in Week 18’s game against the Ravens if Njoku doesn’t suit up. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski only offered a “we’ll see” on Njoku this week.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson will be without two of his top receiving weapons as the 3-12 Browns take on the playoff-hopeful Dolphins. The Browns also declared WR Cedric Tillman, CB Chigozie Anusiem, DE Ogbo Okoronkwo and QB Jameis Winston (shoulder) inactive, though Winston will serve as the emergency third quarterback.

Njoku tweaked his knee in Week 16 against the Bengals and failed to practice at any point this week. With the Browns easily out of the playoff hunt, there’s no reason to rush the ailing tight end back. His status for Week 18 is now up in the air as well. Jordan Akins will start in his place this week but is not on the fantasy radar.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Monday that Njoku is now dealing with a knee issue. He returned from a hamstring injury last week but played limited snaps. With the Browns out of the playoff hunt, it doesn’t make much sense for Njoku to play through the latest injury. Jordan Akins could make another spot-start on Sunday, though the veteran blocking tight end is not on the fantasy menu, even as the Browns’ top option.

We don’t quite know when Njoku picked up the injury, as the veteran tight end was already playing on a limited snap count due to the hamstring injury he was playing through. Neither injury slowed Njoku, as he stepped up to lead the Browns in receptions, receiving yards, and targets in Sunday’s loss. This injury will be one to monitor as the Browns prepare to face the Dolphins. If he cannot play, we would expect Jordan Akins to step in as the Browns’ TE1 during a pivotal week for fantasy managers.

In his first game back from an injury that sidelined him in Week 15, Njoku stepped up to lead the Browns in all receiving categories. The veteran tight end was a reliable safety valve for Dorian Thompson-Robinson all game long, as 41 of his 66 yards came after the catch, thanks in part to DTR’s short pass attempts. Now with another week to get healthy, Njoku looks like a fringe TE1 play in Week 17 against the Dolphins.

Njoku has been dealing with a hamstring injury since suffering the injury in Week 14. He logged only one practice this week but drew a questionable tag into the weekend. Now officially active, the veteran tight end will be a valuable target for Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but he’ll be hard to trust as anything more than boom-or-bust TE2. While Njoku is active, QB Jameis Winston, WR Cedric Tillman, CB Kahlef Hailassie CB Chigozie Anusiem, TE Brenden Bates, DT Shelby Harris, and DE Cameron Thomas are all inactive.

Njoku only logged one practice this week, but head coach Kevin Stefanski said the team will see how he responds to practice before making a decision on his Week 16 availability. Njoku’s return would be great for the Browns and his fantasy managers, but it’s hard to ignore the downgrade that comes with Dorian Thompson-Robinson under center. If he’s active, Njoku should be viewed as more of a fringe TE1/TE2 than a must-start TE1.