The NFL season is in full swing. As happens every year, injuries are rearing their ugly heads. As fantasy football managers prepare to set Week 8 lineups, it’s important to stay informed on the latest injury news. David Njoku missed some practice time this week due to injury. What is his current status and outlook for this week?
Is David Njoku Playing Week 8?
Njoku first sustained his knee injury in Week 6 and missed the Browns’ Week 7 win over the Dolphins as a result. The veteran tight end was unable to practice at all last week, but this week offered much more encouraging news. He participated in a limited capacity for all three practices and was officially listed as questionable on Cleveland’s final injury report.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski described Njoku as “day-to-day” earlier in the week but noted that the tight end has “looked like himself” while working through individual and position drills during practice sessions. That’s typically been the threshold for Njoku to play, as he has a long track record of suiting up whenever he’s cleared to practice.
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported Friday that Njoku was moving well and that his appearance in all three practices was a significant step forward after two weeks of inactivity. Unless Njoku experiences a late setback, the expectation within the building is that he’ll play against the New England Patriots.
Njoku has battled multiple soft-tissue and knee issues throughout his career, occasionally popping up on the injury report but rarely missing extended time. “If he can go, he will,” Stefanski told reporters, emphasizing Njoku’s toughness and desire to return to action as Cleveland’s tight end rotation continues to evolve.
The Browns have leaned on rookie Harold Fannin Jr. in Njoku’s absence. While Fannin held his own with 32 catches for 290 yards and a touchdown through seven games, Njoku’s leadership and athleticism make him the focal point of the tight end room when active. Njoku’s return would relegate Fannin to a complementary receiving role while allowing Cleveland to return to its heavier tight end sets.
Since Njoku practiced every day this week, his first activity since mid-October. It’s fair to expect him to suit up. As always, fantasy managers will know by 1:00 PM ET when Cleveland kicks off in Foxborough.
Njoku’s Fantasy Football Outlook
David Njoku hasn’t played a full season since 2018, and that track was assured of continuing through 2025 after a DNP in Week 7 (knee).
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The veteran tight end remains on the field for over three-quarters of the snaps, something that has been consistent for four years now, but the quality of look, for our purposes, is on enough of a decline to put him in the fringe starter conversation, even when at full strength.
Compared to last season, Njoku’s yards per route are down 12.7%, and his red zone target rate has fallen from 36.4% to 27.8%. That’s not to say he can’t produce, but the range of outcomes is certainly less favorable than it was a year ago, and as Harold Vannett continues to develop, it’s easier to be bearish than bullish on his stock moving forward.
