David Njoku believes Austin Hooper will help him in Cleveland

given the team’s relative issues at offensive tackle, playing two TE sets does make quite a bit of sense

News of the Cleveland Browns agreeing to sign free agent Austin Hooper to the largest contract ever given to a tight end in NFL history created some big waves in the early part of the free agent negotiating period. One of those waves crashed at the shore of David Njoku.

Cleveland’s incumbent starting tight end, Njoku and his status with the Browns were seemingly tossed into the rocky shoreline. But that reaction might be too rash, and it’s something Njoku himself quickly recognized.

Rather than being crushed by the wave of speculation about his future in Cleveland, Njoku chose to ride it positively:

New Browns coach Kevin Stefanski comes from an offense in Minnesota that frequently deployed two tight ends in the formation. And Hooper’s more inline ability could mesh quite nicely with Njoku playing as the flex/move, receiving-oriented tight end. And given the team’s relative issues at offensive tackle, playing two TE sets does make quite a bit of sense.

Stefanski: Browns have ‘big plans’ for TE David Njoku in 2020

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski: Browns have ‘big plans’ for TE David Njoku in 2020

The 2019 season was not one Browns tight end David Njoku will celebrate fondly. Injuries robbed him of all but four games, and Njoku never really fit in Freddie Kitchens’ offense.

Njoku will get a chance at redemption in his fourth season as the Browns tight end. Based on what new Cleveland GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski had to say about Njoku during their press conferences here in Indianapolis at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, he’ll get every chance to prove he can be a major part of the Browns offensive attack.

“David didn’t quite have the year that he anticipated this past fall,” Berry said. “But we still view David as a talented pass catcher and a guy that we expect to take a step forward in this upcoming year.”

Berry noted he was part of the management regime that drafted Njoku in the first round back in 2017 and he still sees a lot of the alluring athleticism and potential in the 23-year-old.

Stefanski echoed Berry’s thoughts on Njoku.

“I’m looking forward to working with him,” Stefanski stated. “I think there’s an obvious skill set there. There’s a reason he was drafted that high. I think you can see it just in his physical ability, and it’s a big year for David. I’ve explained that to him.”

Without getting into specifics, Stefanski laid out how important the young TE can be in 2020.

“We have big plans for (Njoku),” Stefanski said. “But it’s about, for him, coming back in the building and working and then ultimately being able to see if we can utilize him in a role that can take advantage of some of his skill set.”

Njoku caught just five passes on 10 targets, netting 41 yards and one TD. He suffered a broken wrist and a concussion in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets and never really reassimilated into the lineup.

David Njoku still not ready, will miss Week 12 vs. Dolphins

Browns TE David Njoku is still not ready to play despite being designated for return from I.R. and will miss Week 12 vs. Dolphins

There was some hope David Njoku could return to the Browns’ active roster in Week 12. The team designated Njoku for return from injured reserve this week, and the tight end was active in practices toward the end of the week.

However, Njoku will not be activated for the Week 12 visit from the Miami Dolphins. The Browns decided Njoku just wasn’t game-ready yet. He has been out since breaking his wrist and suffering a concussion in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets.

“I think we want to see David another week and see what we get at the end of next week,” head coach Freddie Kitchens said on Friday.

The team has two more weeks to decide to fully activate Njoku or keep him on injured reserve.

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David Njoku designated for return from I.R., back at practice

Njoku could be activated this week if he proves in practice he’s ready to roll

Good news on the injury front. Browns tight end David Njoku is back at practice and has been designated for return from injured reserve.

Coach Freddie Kitchens made that declaration during his meeting with the media on Wednesday. Per Kitchens, Njoku has been cleared for full contact and will be a full participant in the practice sessions leading into the Week 12 visit from the Miami Dolphins.

Njoku has been on I.R. since suffering a broken wrist and a concussion in the Week 2 win over the New York Jets. He eschewed surgery on the wrist with an eye towards returning after missing the mandatory eight games.

The Browns have up to three weeks to activate Njoku from I.R. now that he has been designated to return. They could do so as soon as this week, and with Larry Ogunjobi on suspension and Morgan Burnett now on I.R. they have the open roster space to activate Njoku immediately.