Browns Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku ‘unlikely’ to play against New York Giants

BEREA — The Browns are likely to be without Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku for the second consecutive game.

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday it was “unlikely” that Njoku would play Sunday when the Browns play host to the New York Giants. The tight end has been battling a high ankle sprain sustained in a season-opening 33-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Njoku was on the Browns’ pre-practice injury report Wednesday, along with right tackle Dawand Jones (knee) and running back Pierre Strong (hamstring). He did not practice at all last week, and was ruled out for an 18-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday of that week.

Stefanski, when the severity of Njoku’s injury was initially revealed the day after the Cowboys game, said the nature of the injury was “week to week.”

Jordan Akins remains the only healthy tight end on the Browns’ active roster, and has four catches for 37 yards this season. The Browns elevated tight end Blake Whiteheart from the practice squad to the gameday roster for the Jacksonville game, and he played 24 offensive and eight special-teams snaps in the game.

The Browns also have veteran Geoff Swaim and second-year pro Cameron Latu on the practice squad.

Njoku had four catches for 44 yards against Dallas. He’s coming off a 2023 season in which he had career highs in receptions (81), receiving yards (882) and receiving touchdowns (six).

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns tight end David Njoku ‘unlikely’ to play vs. New York Giants