Njoku's price hasn't adjusted to his new reality. We expect Jameis Winston to start, and we expect Winston to be better than Watson has been this season. Winston has also traditionally been more likely to target tight ends than Watson. Without Cooper and against a pass-funnel defense that just allowed Cade Otton to score 18 Fantasy points, expect Njoku to be the best cash game option in DFS. I'll play him in some tournaments as well, even with his projected high roster rate.
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Browns' David Njoku: Earns 14 targets
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Njoku recorded 10 receptions on 14 targets for 76 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Bengals.
The Browns had three different quarterbacks in the game, but that didn't stop Njoku from drawing the second-most targets in a game for his career. The efficiency on that opportunity was understandably lacking, but Njoku did manage receptions of 15 and 13 yards while also finding the end zone on an eight-yard catch late in the game. He had been unproductive with Deshaun Watson (Achilles) under center, so Njoku could see a boost in his production moving forward -- particularly after the departure of Amari Cooper.
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Browns' David Njoku: TEs to Start
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Njoku should be prepared for a lot of targets moving forward now that Amari Cooper was traded to Buffalo, and Njoku will hopefully be able to connect with Deshaun Watson in a big way. Njoku just had seven targets in Week 6 at Philadelphia, which was a season-high, but he only managed five catches for 31 yards. He should get that many chances again in Week 7 against the Bengals, if not more, in the first game without Cooper, who was averaging 8.8 targets per game. No tight end has had more than five targets a game against Cincinnati, but Njoku will hopefully see enough volume to make him a low-end starter in all leagues in Week 7.
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Browns' David Njoku: Role enhanced following trade
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Njoku is expected to be a target leader for the Browns after the team traded Amari Cooper to Buffalo on Tuesday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Cooper's departure reverberates through the wide receiver room, creating a new order on the depth chart, but don't sleep on the benefit that will accrue to Njoku. He led the Browns in targets and catches in Sunday's loss to the Eagles, his first full game of the season. In addition to Njoku's enhanced role, Jerry Jeudy steps into the role as the No. 1 receiver. Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman will get more playing time, but the early read is that Njoku and Jeudy will be the primary beneficiaries of the trade.
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Browns' David Njoku: Team-high five grabs in loss
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Njoku caught five of seven targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Eagles.
The tight end led the Browns in catches and targets, but the volume didn't amount to much with quarterback Deshaun Watson still not showing much of an ability to stretch the field. Coach Kevin Stefanski is sticking with Watson under center, per Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, which could at least give Njoku a solid PPR floor as long as he can stay healthy. He'll try to build on this effort in Week 7 against the Bengals.
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Browns' David Njoku: Suiting up against Eagles
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Njoku (knee/ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.
Njoku will suit up despite being limited in practice both Thursday and Friday after sitting out Wednesday. He has yet to play a full game without leaving due to injury this season, limiting Njoku to five catches for 58 yards in 2024 after he posted 81 catches for 882 yards in the 2023 regular season.
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Browns' David Njoku: Returns to limited practice
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Njoku (knee/ankle) was limited at practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
After not practicing Wednesday, Njoku is trending in the right direction following his return to a limited session a day later. Friday's practice report thus is slated reveal whether the Browns' top tight end approaches Sunday's game against the Eagles with an injury designation.
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Browns' David Njoku: Tending to two injuries
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Njoku didn't participate in Wednesday's practice due to listed knee and ankle injuries.
After missing three games due to a high-ankle sprain, Njoku returned to action for the Browns' Week 5 loss to the Commanders, only to pick up a knee injury at some point during the contest. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is viewing Njoku as day-to-day heading into a Week 6 road game in Philadelphia. If Njoku is forced to miss his fourth game in five weeks, Jordan Akins and Geoff Swaim will likely absorb the vacated snaps at tight end.
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Browns' David Njoku: Not seen at practice
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Njoku (knee) doesn't appear to be practicing Wednesday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
He wasn't listed on the Browns' pre-practice injury report, but Njoku apparently isn't on the field for the portion of practice that was open to media. He returned from a three-game absence due to an ankle injury for Sunday's 34-13 loss to Washington, only to pick up a new injury and play just seven snaps in the second half. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that he's viewing Njoku as day-to-day, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com.
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Browns' David Njoku: Hurts knee in Week 5 loss
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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.
