The Cleveland Browns faced a series of injuries during Sunday’s home matchup against the Tennessee Titans, including a scare for tight end David Njoku. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, starting his third consecutive game after taking over from Dillon Gabriel last month, connected with Njoku for a second-quarter touchdown. However, the score came at a cost, as Njoku appeared to injure his knee on the play.
Will David Njoku Play in Week 15?
After diving to make the reception, Njoku remained on the field in pain. Trainers attended to him, and after a brief evaluation, he was able to get to his feet, pump his hands to energize the crowd, and walk gingerly to the sideline. Following a more thorough assessment, the Cleveland Browns listed Njoku as “questionable” to return due to the knee injury. While his status is somewhat encouraging, it comes after weeks of managing a lingering knee issue that dates back to Week 6.
As of now, Njoku’s status for Week 15 remains unclear. Coach Kevin Stefanski did not provide a definitive update immediately after the game, noting only that the team would see how it goes for the rest of the week.
With the Browns going up against the Chicago Bears on the road next Sunday, the team will monitor Njoku’s knee closely during practice and throughout the week before making a final determination.
Other Browns players also faced injuries during the game. Wide receiver Malachi Corley was ruled out for the remainder of the contest after sustaining a concussion on a return play. On defense, rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger briefly left the field for evaluation but returned on the next drive. Cornerback Denzel Ward exited in the fourth quarter with a calf injury and was eventually ruled out, according to news5cleveland.com.
The Browns, who are effectively out of playoff contention this season, remain focused on giving Sanders valuable experience as the team evaluates him as a potential long-term starter.
Njoku has been an important target for the rookie quarterback, providing a reliable presence in the passing game and helping him navigate NFL defenses. Losing Njoku, even temporarily, could impact Sanders’ development as the season winds down.
While the “questionable” designation leaves room for optimism, it also underlines the cautious approach the Browns are taking with a player who has already been dealing with a knee issue for several weeks. If Njoku is unable to play, the Browns will need other options in the passing game to support Sanders and maintain offensive rhythm. PFSN’s TE Impact metric gives Njoku a score of 71.6 with a C- grade.
