Browns TE David Njoku has not seen the field since the third quarter of their Week 1 loss to the Cowboys.
Listed as questionable instead of out on the injury report for the first time this season, Njoku could change that on Sunday against the Washington Commanders. While the Browns will wait until Sunday's game to make the final call on Njoku, the 2023 Pro Bowler could provide a needed boost for an offense that has struggled in his absence.
"Dave is a big piece," offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said. "He's a great football player who does a lot for us in a lot of different areas – whether it's pass game, protection, run game. He gives us a lot of flexibility."
Njoku finished his brief outing against the Cowboys with five targets for four receptions and 44 yards. His 29-yard reception in the third quarter was an example of the explosiveness the eight-year veteran has to offer. Of his 44 receiving yards, 30 yards came after the catch.
Njoku spoke to the media Friday for the first time since sustaining the ankle injury that has kept him out for much of the season. He said that he can provide an "energy burst" to the Browns offense once he is back on the field.
"I just want to be out there for my team, you know?" Njoku said. "I want to be out there giving them the energy that they require and vice versa."
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their game this week against the Washington Commanders at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back Nyheim Hines (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Pass Game Specialist/Tight Ends Coach Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Khaleke Hudson (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Linebacker Michael Barrett (48) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Tight end Geoff Swaim (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 2, 2024.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on October 3, 2024.
Njoku had been building up to a Pro Bowl-caliber season in the years leading up to the 2023 season, in which he had a career-high 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Browns tight ends have struggled to produce in his absence, with Jordan Akins and Blake Whiteheart combining for 89 yards and a touchdown with Njoku sidelined.
The Browns offense is in need of the boost Njoku could provide. QB Deshaun Watson has yet to throw for over 200 yards and the Browns are averaging the second-fewest yards per game.
"It'd be big for this offense," Watson said of Njoku's potential return. "He's a big part of this system. Exactly what we wanted to do and what we were planning to do with the start of the season. […] We'll see how this week goes, and we'll definitely be excited if he can make it to the game."
Although he has not been able to contribute on the field, Njoku has been a part of offensive meetings as he works to get back on the field. A vocal leader on the offense, Njoku said that the lack of offensive success is relatively easy to diagnose.
"We've really beat ourselves in every game. Mistakes have set us back behind the eight ball," Njoku said. "At the end of the day, it's football. We've played this game for a long time. We're all professionals. We just have to execute and not make any mistakes, not make any errors and we will be successful if we do that."
The Browns offense has been lacking in explosive passing plays this season, with only eight passing plays for 20 or more yards – the fourth fewest in the league. Njoku said that he still believes in the Browns' ability to be special on offense.
"If we don't hurt ourselves, you'll see those explosive plays that everyone desires," Njoku said. "It's really that simple."
