Browns quick hits: David Njoku staying optimistic despite suffering high ankle sprain

BEREA — David Njoku would pull off quite the trick if he were to play on Halloween night, and the Browns would definitely consider it a treat to have their No. 1 tight end in the lineup.

But all of it seems to be a stretch.

Njoku wasn't willing Thursday to concede that he won't play on “Monday Night Football” when the Browns (2-5) host the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals (4-3).

Njoku said he suffered a left high ankle sprain Sunday in a 23-20 road loss to the Baltimore Ravens with 4:47 left in the third quarter, when he was tackled after catching a shovel pass for a 3-yard gain and a first down.

"It’s healing pretty fast," Njoku said. "Getting the right treatment, so it’s going to be like a day-to-day thing."

Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he backs Njoku's "day-to-day" claim.

High ankle sprains usually keep players sidelined for four to six weeks, so it would be surprising if Njoku were able to face the defending AFC champion Bengals.

“I don't know, man,” Njoku said. “We'll see.

“It is my choice, but at the end of the day, I'm communicating with the [athletic] trainers the right way. We're trying to figure out what's best.”

Njoku had seven catches on seven targets for 71 yards before he left the game against the Ravens (4-3). After signing a four-year contract extension in May worth a maximum of $56.75 million, Njoku is in the midst of his best NFL season.

“The season's not over yet,” Njoku said. “Let's see how it goes."

Asked about his mindset while injured, Njoku said, “I'm always optimistic. I just focus on getting better and helping the team. Whatever that entails is what I'll do.”

Njoku has 34 catches for 418 yards and a touchdown through seven games. Entering this season, his best statistical production had been 56 catches for 639 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games in 2018, a year after the Browns drafted him in the first round (No. 29 overall) out of the University of Miami.

Njoku is tied with the Ravens' Mark Andrews for second among the 72 qualifying tight ends ProFootballFocus.com has graded this season. The Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce leads the rankings.

“I aspire to be like Kelce,” Njoku said. “He's obviously a close friend of mine and a great tight end. He's a very, very good player.”

Njoku's injury is the epitome of bad timing because he has been playing well.

"I think he was really on the rise," quarterback Jacoby Brissett said. "I don’t think his season’s over. It’s just a little hiccup, so he’s definitely going to be missed for sure."

If there is a silver lining for Njoku it's that the Browns will have a Week 9 bye after they play the Bengals, so he has extra time to heal before the Browns travel to Miami for a showdown with the Dolphins (4-3) on Nov. 13.

“The bye week definitely helps,” Njoku said. “So let's just see where we are, just go from there.”

Njoku didn't practice Thursday. Other sidelined players were defensive ends Myles Garrett (shoulder, biceps) and Jadeveon Clowney (ankle), cornerbacks Denzel Ward (concussion) and Greedy Williams (illness), right guard Wyatt Teller (calf), linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (knee) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (concussion, neck). Left guard Joel Bitonio and wide receiver Amari Cooper received a rest day.

Ward remains in concussion protocol, Stefanski said, and has missed the past two games. Offensive lineman Joe Haeg returned to practice after suffering two concussions in recent weeks.

As for Njoku, Stefanski said, "He has been important to what we do run game and pass game. He's a great player, but if he doesn’t make it, next man up, and [we'll] find a way to run our offense.”

No. 2 tight end Harrison Bryant is expected to start in place of Njoku.

“I'm itching [to return],” Njoku said. “It's a whole different lifestyle being injured or getting back from the injury. The fastest I feel able to play is the fastest I will play.”

Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase expected to miss Browns game

The Browns will have the luxury of not needing to worry about Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.

After Chase sat out Thursday's practice, NFL Network and ESPN reported the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year would be ruled out against the Browns with a hip injury and could land on injured reserve, meaning he would miss at least four games.

Chase has 47 catches for 605 yards and six touchdowns this season. As a rookie No. 5 overall draft pick out of Louisiana State University, Chase racked up 81 catches for 1,455 and 13 touchdowns last season.

With Ward in jeopardy of missing his third consecutive game, the Browns caught a huge break in the form of Chase's status.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb doesn't want to see a Kareem Hunt trade

Kareem Hunt has an expiring contract, he asked for a trade during training camp and the Browns have a surplus at running back.

Those factors make Hunt a realistic trade target with the NFL's deadline for such deals approaching.

However, Hunt's primary running mate, Nick Chubb, wants to sEE his friend finish the season with the Browns. Hunt has 66 carries this season for 263 yards (4 average) and three touchdowns and 15 catches for 87 yards and a TD.

“He’s a great teammate,” Chubb said. “Great to play with, so who knows what happens? I love playing with Kareem.”

Chubb said he and Hunt haven't discussed the possibility of the Willoughby South High School graduate being dealt. The NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday.

“Kareem is a great player,” Chubb said. “He can do anything you ask – catch the ball, run, block well. He’s a great player. Very dynamic, explosive. He’s great to play with. Our O-line does a great job blocking. Kareem makes a lot of plays.”

Deion Jones enjoys shaking off rust in Cleveland Browns debut

Linebacker Deion Jones played for the first time this season and made his Browns debut Sunday after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and being traded from the Atlanta Falcons earlier this month.

“That was fun,” Jones said. “Good to be back out there, flying around, tackling. It was good.

“A couple [missed assignments], but it’s only up from here. Just keep growing, keep climbing, keep learning the defense, keep jelling with these guys.”

Jones finished with five tackles, including one for a loss. He logged 33 of 64 snaps (52%).

The Browns will need him much more with linebacker Jacob Phillips suffering a torn pectoral muscle against the Ravens. The Browns placed Phillips on injured reserve Wednesday, and he'll likely undergo season-ending surgery.

“That’s a big loss for us,” Jones said.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns' David Njoku optimistic despite high ankle sprain