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Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) went on an absolute tear to end 2023. With QB Joe Flacco, Njoku was a league-winning option during the playoffs, lighting up the fantasy stat sheets with regularity.
Njoku was taken in almost all drafts in 2024 in 10+ team leagues with tight ends as a result. However, Njoku only played in one contest before suffering a high-ankle sprain on a tackle attempt. Njoku did not return to the game and hasn't returned to the field since.
When will David Njoku return to play? Could it be this week or will fantasy managers have to wait longer for his return?
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David Njoku's Latest Injury Update - September 24
Njoku's timeline is unclear currently, and the exact status of his ankle isn't known. We can't exactly interview him and ask him how much pain he's in. However, it's worth noting that Njoku's timeline for missed games was two to five weeks. This would indicate he's unlikely to return in Week 4.
#Browns David Njoku will miss 2-5 weeks with a high ankle sprain, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/MDEV5v43bJ
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) October 24, 2022
Njoku has missed two contests, so Week 4 is the earliest he could return. A two to five week window suggests that he's more likely to miss 3-4 weeks than he is to miss just two though. Players typically don't come back from this injury after just two weeks.
David Njoku Injury Update for Fantasy Football
While Njoku could return soon, it's likely his first game or two after returning won't be at peak performance. There's a gap between being able to return to play and being able to perform maximally after most injuries, and high-ankle sprains are no exception.
When Njoku returns, fantasy managers should expect a game or two with depressed production, and then a return to normal play after that period. There's no way of knowing for sure, but it would follow what we know about this type of injury.
David Njoku Fantasy Football Outlook
While Njoku is a great tight end, he doesn't have the best guy throwing it to him. Browns QB Deshaun Watson is not only a terrible person, he's a terrible quarterback. Njoku has and will continue to have many missed opportunities for production with Watson at the helm.
This is a brutal snap from Deshaun Watson.
It's 4th and 1. The Browns call a pick play up top. David Njoku is wide open. Watson looks to throw it, and then doesn't. Takes a sack. That's a brutal, brutal miss in a huge spot. pic.twitter.com/G5B7nAHgHp
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) September 24, 2024
It's unfortunate for Njoku managers that the Browns let QB Joe Flacco walk last season. Watson is not the answer at QB and never will be. Njoku would be much better off with a quarterback that aired it out a lot, or even looked like he was trying to win games instead of coasting after signing the biggest guaranteed deal in NFL history.
Whether or not Watson is showing a lack of effort or just isn't good at football anymore, Njoku is still a must-start at tight end because there are hardly any decent players at the position.
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