The Cleveland Browns have a serious depth concern at tight end with David Njoku out, and a familiar face might fill the position.
Njoku missed the Browns’ Week 2 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and is doubtful to face the New York Giants this Sunday.
“I would say he’s unlikely this week,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski stated on Wednesday, September 18.
With Njoku out of the picture and Jordan Akins the sole tight end on the 53-man roster, Bleacher Report has suggested Harrison Bryant as a potential trade candidate for the Browns.
“Rookie tight end Brock Bowers continues to appear like an instant standout, and the Raiders’ No. 2 tight end is 2023 second-round pick Michael Mayer. “This makes Bryant somewhat expendable, even though he’s a capable receiving threat,” B/R’s Kristopher Knox noted. “A reunion with Cleveland still makes the most sense for Bryant. David Njoku, Cleveland’s starting tight end, is now sidelined with an ankle sprain.
Bryant began his career as a fourth-round pick by the Browns in 2020. During his stint with Cleveland, he made 89 catches for 791 yards. According to Bleacher Report, Bryant is buried on the Raiders depth chart, but he might be extremely valuable to the Browns.
Browns Passing Game Getting on Track
The Browns’ passing game struggled in Week 1, but improved last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw for 186 yards and ran for a touchdown. He seems more comfortable in the pocket, but more consistency is required.
“To be honest, I believe we all missed several opportunities on the field. And I believe we didn’t play a complete game,” Watson stated on Wednesday, September 18. “And that’s our motto, especially going into this week is just, starting off fast like we did, but also, picking up speed as we go through the course of the game to add more points and try to get that lead a little bit bigger than what it was last week so the game don’t come down to what it did.”
Njoku was sidelined, thus Akins started at tight end. He had only one catch for ten yards.
Deshaun Watson Seeking Connection With Amari Cooper
Without Njoku, it will be difficult to get the offense back on track. He was nominated to the Pro Bowl last season after leading the Browns with 81 receptions for 882 yards and six touchdowns.
With Njoku out, Amari Cooper is Watson’s go-to option. However, the two have struggled to connect early in the season.
Cooper has only five catches for 27 yards this season. Watson has targeted him a team-high 17 times, so it’s hardly a lack of focus. There have been a mix of drops and difficult-to-catch passes among those targets.
“It is part of the game. It sometimes depends on the defensive coordinators and their schemes. “It’s sometimes the way the game plays out,” Watson explained. “But, you know, we never stop believing in one other. And it’s a long season, so we’ll just keep working and figuring things out. But when it does click, it will be quite exciting for both of us.”
The Browns will try to make it two in a row against the Giants on Sunday.
