David

Njoku

The veteran tight end took to instagram to announce that he would not be returning to Cleveland this offseason as he departs for free agency. It will mark the first year of his career not a member of the team that drafted him in 2017, ending a nine-year run with the franchise. The soon-to-be 30-year-old lost playing time in 2025 to electric rookie Harold Fannin Jr and apparently saw the writing on the wall regarding the direction of the franchise moving forward. The announcement directly contradicts previous reports that Njoku was looking to return to the Browns.

Njoku, 29, will become a free agent once the 2025 season officially ends. In order for him to do so, he will likely have to sign a team-friendly deal, placing him firmly in the No. 2 spot behind breakout rookie TE Harold Fannin, who supplanted Njoku outright this season. Njoku was the subject of trade rumors earlier this year, but nothing came to fruition. Njoku exuberantly celebrated the outcome despite his diminishing role. Were he to remain in Cleveland, he would not be on the fantasy TE1 radar in 2026.

Njoku was targeted just seven times after Week 8 as Harold Fannin took over as Cleveland’s main tight end. Entering free agency this offseason, Njoku has shown enough flashes at times over the past three years to be considered on the TE1 line if he lands in a good spot. He does, unfortunately, get banged up enough that he probably shouldn’t be the only tight end you draft if you go that route in 2026.

As expected, David Njoku also remained out of practice. Njoku is likely out for Week 18, while head coach Kevin Stefanski is leaving the light on for Fannin. With the Browns only playing for a better draft pick, there isn’t much reason to push either player to suit up on Sunday. Backup tight ends Blake Whiteheart and Sal Cannella would be in line for more work if both starting options are ruled out.

Njoku will miss his third-straight game due to a knee injury that he suffered in Week 14. The Browns are at risk of being down their top two TEs with Harold Fannin (groin) being added to Friday’s injury report. We’ll see if Njoku can get back on the field in time for Week 18’s season finale against the Bengals.

Njoku’s absences continue to benefit rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr., who leads the team in targets (102), receptions (70), receiving yards (701) and receiving touchdowns (five). Fannin has also been given a carry in consecutive games and scored a one-yard rushing touchdown last week.

Teller was questionable entering the weekend but has been ruled out. Backup Teven Jenkins will start in his place. In addition to Teller, the Browns have also ruled out CB Denzel Ward, RB Dylan Sampson, DT Mike Hall Jr., WR Jamari Thrash, TE David Njoku, and DT Sam Kamara.

Njoku will miss a second-straight game due to the knee injury he suffered in Week 14. The veteran tight end was unable to get on the practice field this week and will now set his sights toward returning in Week 17 against the Steelers. Njoku’s absence should pave the way for rookie TE Harold Fannin to have another high-volume day after seeing a season-high 14 targets in last week’s loss to the Bears.

Even if Njoku plays this weekend, he does not belong in 12-team re-draft lineups. The 29-year-old veteran has been fully supplanted by rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr., who is a weekly TE1. Should Njoku sit out, as expected, it will likely increase Fannin’s route participation level, which is great for fantasy managers.

Njoku missed Week 15 with the knee issue. He didn’t practice once last week and now looks unlikely to suit up for Week 15. Harold Fannin led the Browns with seven catches on Sunday. He turned that into 48 yards. Fannin is in line for another TE1 ranking this week.