EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 16: David Njoku #85 of the Cleveland Browns falls after failing to make a catch in the first quarter against Frankie Luvu #50 of the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Browns tight end David Njoku suffered a concussion Monday night, but a broken wrist is in line to sideline him for more than a month.
During the first half of Monday night’s game against the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku landed awkwardly after leaving his feet and being upended as he tried to pull in a reception. He left the game with a concussion and did not return, but he seemed fortunate to not have suffered a bad neck injury to go with concussion.
However, Njoku is dealing with another injury that’s in line to cost him a substantial chunk of time.
Njoku turned up on Wednesday’s injury report with a wrist issue, in addition to his already known concussion, to make him a non-participant in practice at the start of a short week for the Browns. According to multiple reports, he also suffered a broken right wrist on Monday night, and he’s seeking multiple opinions on if he’ll need surgery.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has added Njoku will miss more than a month if initial estimates hold up.
A screen shot of Njoku’s scary landing on Monday night, via Anthony Lima of 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, shows the third-year tight’s right wrist/hand in a precarious position.
Missing just over a month, with a Week 7 bye for Cleveland in the mix, would put Njoku in line to return in Week 8 against the New England Patriots. It’s not clear if that timetable would be with or without surgery.
Njoku only had that lone target before leaving Monday night’s game, and he had four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown in a Week 1 loss to the Tennessee Titans. The depth chart gets thin behind him, with Demetrius Harris, Pharaoh Brown and Ricky Seals-Jones being the other tight ends on the Browns’ roster right now. It’s safe to assume a free agent tight end or two will be coming to Cleveland for a workout soon.