Tag: David Njoku

Dec 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) walks off the field after the game against the Tennessee Titans at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Free agent TE David Njoku posts that his time in Cleveland is over

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tight end David Njoku revealed in an Instagram post on Monday night that he will enter free agency and not return to the Cleveland Browns.

Njoku, 29, has played all nine of his NHL seasons in Cleveland. He ranks second among Browns tight ends in all-time touchdowns (34) and pass receptions (384). Only Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome (47; 662) amassed more, from 1978-90.

“Cleveland, first off I love you,” wrote Njoku in his post. “These nine years have been a beautiful journey. I’m am so grateful for all the memories we shared together. Thank you to The Haslams, Andrew Berry and the whole browns organization for everything!! All my teammates I shared the battle with I’m so grateful for you guys. The time for me to find a new home has come and all I can think of is just the gratefulness in my heart. The city of Cleveland will forever be home.”

Under new coach Todd Monken, general manager Berry and the Browns will look to revamp an offense that has scored the fewest points in the league over the past two seasons combined. There is uncertainly at quarterback, with first-year players Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel plus oft-injured veteran Deshaun Watson on current roster.

Njoku, a 2017 first-round selection (29th overall) from the University of Miami (Fla.) made an immediate impact, hauling in 88 receptions for 1,025 yards and eight touchdowns in his first two pro seasons. He peaked in 2023, accumulating career bests for catches (81), yards (882) and touchdowns (six) and earned his lone Pro Bowl selection.

However, he missed 11 total games in 2024 and 2025 due to injury and his production slipped. This past season, rookie Harold Fannin Jr. became the prime target at tight end, catching 72 balls for 731 yards and six touchdowns while Njoku finished with 33 receptions for 293 yards and four scores.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) leaps over Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) during the third quarter of an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Browns TE David Njoku (knee) remains day-to-day

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After missing Sunday’s game, Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku remains day-to-day with his knee injury, coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday.

Njoku did not practice last week ahead of the Browns’ 31-6 home win over the Miami Dolphins. His 223 receiving yards this season rank third on the Browns’ roster, but trail behind rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (290), who had a team-high four catches for 36 yards on Sunday.

Njoku, 29, is in his ninth season with Cleveland since he was selected 29th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has 374 receptions for 3,992 career receiving yards and 31 touchdowns, posting career highs of 81 catches for 882 yards and six touchdowns in 2023, when he earned his only Pro Bowl nod.

With Dillon Gabriel starting the last three games after Joe Flacco began the season as the Browns’ starting quarterback, Cleveland (2-5) ranks 30th in passing offense (178.3) and is tied for 30th in passing TDs (five).

Stefanski also shared that rookie defensive tackle Adin Huntington is in the concussion protocol coming out of Sunday’s game. He has 10 tackles, a half-sack and a quarterback hit in seven games this season.

The Browns play at New England (5-2) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) falls while running the ball under coverage by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Browns rule out TE David Njoku, RB Pierre Strong vs. Giants

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns on Friday ruled out tight end David Njoku and running back Pierre Strong for Sunday’s home game against the New York Giants.

Njoku has missed practice all week because of an ankle injury sustained in Week 1, while Strong sat out practices Wednesday and Thursday after injuring his hamstring in the third quarter of last week’s game at Jacksonville.

A 2023 Pro Bowl selection, Njoku had four catches for 44 yards in the season-opening 33-17 loss to the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8.

Njoku, 28, has 291 career receptions for 3,308 yards and 25 touchdowns in 96 games (67 starts) since the Browns selected him 29th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Miami.

Strong rushed one time for minus-5 yards in the 18-13 victory over the Jaguars last Sunday. He had two carries for 10 yards against Dallas.

New England drafted Strong in the fourth round in 2022 and he played in 15 games for the Patriots before they traded him in 2023 to the Browns. In 34 career games (one start), Strong has 76 carries for 396 yards and two touchdowns, and 15 receptions for 119 yards.

Browns right tackle Jack Conklin and left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. are questionable for Sunday after missing the first two weeks with knee issues. Conklin was a full participant on Wednesday and Thursday, while Wills was limited on both days.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said heading into practice Friday that they will be evaluated throughout the weekend to see if they can play on game day.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill (1) tackles Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Brooks (83) during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Browns place S Juan Thornhill, 3 others on IR

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The Cleveland Browns placed starting safety Juan Thornhill and three other players on injured reserve Wednesday.

In addition to Thornhill (calf), the Browns also put defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (ankle), linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (hip), and linebacker Tony Fields (ankle) on IR.

Cleveland, however, did not place tight end David Njoku on injured reserve.

Njoku, 28, is considered week-to-week after sustaining an ankle injury during the Browns’ 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The 2023 Pro Bowl selection had four catches for 44 yards against the Cowboys.

Thornhill, 28, recorded nine tackles in the season opener. Thornhill has totaled 297 tackles and eight interceptions in 77 career games (64 starts) with the Kansas City Chiefs (2019-22) and Browns.

Hurst had three tackles in the season opener, while Diabate and Fields each had two.

Also on Wednesday, Cleveland signed wide receiver David Bell, cornerback Mike Ford Jr., linebacker Khaleke Hudson and defensive tackle Sam Kamara from the practice squad to the active roster. The team also signed defensive tackle Siaki Ika, tight end Geoff Swaim and linebacker Luiji Vilain.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) falls while running the ball under coverage by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Reports: Browns TE David Njoku could have high ankle sprain

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns believe that tight end David Njoku could be dealing with a high ankle sprain, multiple media outlets reported Sunday night.

Njoku was injured with 10:37 left in the third quarter of Cleveland’s season-opening 33-17 loss to the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Browns listed him as questionable to return, but he never did.

After the game, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski had no update on Njoku’s status but said that the 28-year-old will be getting tests on Monday to determine the severity of his injury.

Multiple reports indicated that Njoku left the stadium wearing a boot on his right foot.

Njoku finished with four catches for a team-high 44 yards on Sunday.

Njoku was a first-time Pro Bowler last season, when he hauled in 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games (all starts).

Jordan Akins is currently the only other tight end on the Browns’ depth chart.

–Field Level Media

Sep 24, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) celebrate after the Browns beat the Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns TE David Njoku questionable with burns to face, arm

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku sustained burn injuries to his face and arm during a household accident, the team announced Saturday.

The Browns (2-1) added Njoku to the injury report as questionable to play in Sunday’s game against the visiting Baltimore Ravens (2-1). He was a full participant in practice on Wednesday through Friday and didn’t carry an injury designation prior to the accident.

Njoku, 27, has 10 catches for 92 yards in three games this season.

In 82 career games (53 starts), he has 216 receptions for 2,474 yards and 19 touchdowns since being selected by the Browns with the 29th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Also on Saturday, the Browns elevated tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden and quarterback P.J. Walker to the active roster from the practice squad.

Mitchell-Paden, 24, signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has yet to play in an NFL game.

Walker, 28, completed 131 of 228 passes for 1,461 yards with five touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 15 career games with the Carolina Panthers.

–Field Level Media

Dec 20, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) leaps for the ball along with Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Dallin Leavitt (32) and cornerback Brandon Facyson (35) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Browns, TE David Njoku agree on 4-year extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns and franchise-tagged tight end David Njoku have agreed on a four-year, $56.75 million contract extension, NFL Network reported Friday.

Under the agreement, Njoku will receive $28 million in guaranteed money at signing, per the report. With an annual average value of nearly $14.2 million, he’ll be among the top five in pay for the position.

Njoku, 25, would have earned around $10.9 million in 2022 under the franchise tag.

Njoku caught 36 passes for 475 yards with a team-high four receiving touchdowns in 16 games (11 starts) last season. He has 15 career TDs in 65 games (36 starts) for the Browns since being taken No. 29 overall in the 2017 draft.

The Browns released tight end Austin Hooper earlier this offseason. Hooper later signed with the Tennessee Titans.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown (57) during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Franchise tag roundup: Chiefs OT Brown among 3 tagged Monday

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Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Orlando Brown was the first of three NFL players to receive the franchise tag on Monday.

Brown would make approximately $16.5 million on the franchise tag in 2022 if the two sides are unable to work out a long-term deal.

Acquired from the Baltimore Ravens for a first-round pick in the 2021 draft, Brown stabilized the left side of the Kansas City offensive line in a focused overhaul of the Chiefs’ front wall last offseason.

A third-round pick of the Ravens who began his career at right tackle, Brown is a three-time Pro Bowl selection who hiked his value by moving to the left side for the Ravens when Ronnie Stanley (ankle) was lost for the 2020 season.

Tagging Brown shifts the attention of general manager Brett Veach to safety Tyrann Mathieu, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next week. Mathieu turns 30 in May and said he would love to be back in Kansas City. But he’s also expected to draw significant interest in free agency.

The deadline for teams to designate franchise tag players is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

–The AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals used the franchise tag on starting safety Jessie Bates III.

Bates and the Bengals have not reached a long-term contract extension after negotiating the past two offseasons. By placing the tag on Bates Monday, Cincinnati has until July 15 to sign him to a new long-term deal. Otherwise, the 25-year-old safety will play 2022 under the tag, expected to be roughly $13 million.

Bates has started all but two games for the Bengals since entering the league as a 2018 second-round draft pick. A second-team All-Pro in 2020, Bates has compiled 408 tackles, 35 pass breakups, 10 interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries over four seasons.

Bates added two interceptions in the 2021 playoffs, including one on Matthew Stafford during Super Bowl LVI, along with six pass breakups.

–The Cleveland Browns placed the franchise tag on tight end David Njoku.

Njoku, 25, will earn around $10.9 million in 2022 unless the two sides are able to reach a long-term deal.

Njoku caught 36 passes for 475 yards with a team-high four receiving touchdowns in 16 games (11 starts) last season. He has 15 career TDs in 65 games (36 starts) for the Browns since being taken No. 29 overall in the 2017 draft.

The Browns have a decision to make on fellow TE Austin Hooper, who carries a $13.2 million cap hit in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) blows a kiss to fans following the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Browns slap franchise tag on TE David Njoku

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cleveland Browns placed the franchise tag on tight end David Njoku on Monday.

Njoku, 25, will earn around $10.9 million in 2022 unless the two sides are able to reach a long-term deal.

Njoku caught 36 passes for 475 yards with a team-high four receiving touchdowns in 16 games (11 starts) last season. He has 15 career TDs in 65 games (36 starts) for the Browns since being taken No. 29 overall in the 2017 draft.

The Browns have a decision to make on fellow TE Austin Hooper, who carries a $13.2 million cap hit in 2022.

–Field Level Media