Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku has struggled to produce for fantasy players in his career. Over the first five years of his career, the former Miami Hurricane averaged only 5.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
Furthermore, he had only 15 touchdowns, and some labeled the former first-round pick a bust. However, the Browns felt otherwise as they handed Njoku a new four-year contract this offseason worth nearly $55 million.
After a quiet Week 1 performance, the emerging tight end has 12 receptions on 15 targets for 121 receiving yards and a touchdown over the past two games. However, fantasy players nearly had a heart attack when Njoku’s name appeared on Cleveland’s injury report earlier this week.
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Is David Njoku Healthy or Injured?
The Browns list Njoku on their injury report Thursday with a did not practice designation. When fantasy players saw the NBC Sports EDGE tweet on Twitter, they panicked.
However, it was all for nothing. The veteran tight end earned a rest day, just like wide receiver Amari Cooper had gotten the day before. Njoku is fine and ready to play in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Will David Njoku Play In Week 4?
Despite the scare earlier this week, the veteran tight end will play this week against Atlanta. More importantly, should fantasy players start Njoku this week?
The former first-round pick had arguably the best game of his career in Week 3. Njoku caught nine of his 10 targets for 89 receiving yards and a touchdown, scoring 19.4 half-point PPR fantasy points. He also played 88% of the snaps last week and had three red zone targets, a team-high.
More importantly, the Falcons have struggled to defend tight ends this season. They have surrendered the second-most fantasy points to the position this year, giving up 17.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
Atlanta has given up at least 10.6 half-point PPR fantasy points to tight ends in every game this season, including 20 or more fantasy points twice. Furthermore, the Seattle Seahawks trio of tight ends, Will Dissly, Noah Fant, and Colby Parkinson, combined for nine receptions, 105 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 21 half-point PPR fantasy points last week against the Falcons.
Unless you have an elite tight end like Mark Andrews or Travis Kelce, Njoku is a must-start this week.
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