David Njoku will miss what could be the final game of his career with the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns have ruled out Njoku with a knee injury. It’ll be his fourth consecutive missed game with the injury, which he suffered on a touchdown catch against the Tennessee Titans.
“Disappointed for Dave,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “It’s part of the game. Sometimes you’re unable to go because of your body, and he’ll work really hard to get as healthy as he can get. But yes, disappointing for him and that’s unfortunate.”
Njoku will finish the season with 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns. It’s not ideal as he heads into free agency.
Browns Think ‘World’ of David Njoku
With Njoku’s future uncertain, Stefanski reflected on the former first-round pick’s growth during his time in Cleveland.
“He and I have a very unique relationship. He thinks I didn’t like him when I first got here, which is not true. I just told him the truth and he didn’t like that,” Stefanski said. “But to watch him mature and become a leader, the energy he brings in the building, the unbelievable plays that he’s made over the years. … I think the world of the person. Obviously disappointed for this season and the injuries, but I think very highly of the person.”
The Browns clearly value Njoku’s value to the locker room. He’s become a vocal leader and has shown pride in being a member of the franchise. Njoku was a name floated at the trade deadline but was happy to remain with the Browns.
“Of course, it’s always a possibility,” Njoku said. “This is the NFL, man, you know what I mean? But I’m in Cleveland, baby. I’m not going nowhere. I ain’t (expletive) leaving. Yeah. Get that on camera.”
Browns Will Be Without Standout Rookie Against Bengals
The Browns have also ruled out rookie standouts Harold Fannin Jr. and Carson Schwesinger. Fannin has been the Browns’ top pass-catcher this season, hauling in 72 catches for 731 yards with six touchdowns. His emergence is a significant reason the Browns might be comfortable moving on from Njoku this offseason.
Schwesinger is the favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He’s notched 156 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions.
“We’ve talked about this rookie class for, it feels like the whole season. I think that my main point to you guys still is true – they’re all really, really good players and that’s exciting,” Stefanski said. “But they’re also the right people off the field. They’re the right workers; they will all develop into their own forms of leadership, and that comes with time. But just how diligent they’ve been from the jump. There’s some rookies that you’re chasing them around to get them to things. This is not that class. This is a group that has pushed each other and has been as good off the field as on the field.”
Cornerback Myles Harden, guard Teven Jenkins and center Kingsley Eguakun are all listed as questionable heading into Week 18.
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