For once this season, the Cleveland Browns thoroughly outclassed their opposition on both sides of the ball. At 2-5, they’re hardly one of the NFL’s elite, but they pummeled the Miami Dolphins 31-6 in a game that made it look like things are on the upswing within the organization.
The victory was even more notable given the absence of veteran tight end David Njoku, now in his ninth season with the Browns. Njoku took a brutal hit in the Week 6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and fans are now concerned about his availability for Week 8.
Will David Njoku Play in Week 8?
Near the end of the first half in Week 6, the Steelers held a 9-0 lead over Cleveland. As the Browns were starting to mount a comeback, their progress came at a cost.
Njoku made a tough catch in the air but collided with two defenders, landing hard on the field. While he secured the ball, he immediately went to the medical tent. Although he returned later in the game, he had hyperextended his left knee and subsequently missed the entire week of practice and Week 7 contest.
After sitting out Sunday’s game, head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Monday that Njoku remains day-to-day with his knee injury. However, in an earlier interview with Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Pro Bowl tight end expressed confidence, saying he expects to be ready for Week 8 against the New England Patriots.
On Wednesday, Njoku returned to practice, which is a great sign for his availability this week.
As the team’s third-most productive receiver, his availability will be crucial against a Patriots team that has been moving the ball effectively with Drake Maye.
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Njoku currently ranks as the No. 31 tight end in PFSN’s 2025 tight end impact rankings with a score of 74.1 (C). The 29-year-old has caught 23 of 36 targets this season for 223 yards and a touchdown.
Njoky and rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. form a nice one-two punch, as the latter leads the Browns with 290 receiving yards and a touchdown. Jerry Jeudy is the team’s second-most productive receiver with 257 yards, while the rest of the receiving group has struggled to make an impact.
Keep an eye on the Browns’ practice reports throughout the rest of the week to make sure that Njoku doesn’t experience a setback, but all signs are pointing to him suiting up this week.
