The Browns face a virtual must-win situation in Week 5, and they'll be getting a major boost in their quest for a victory.
Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku has been activated for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders and is expected to start. The eighth-year veteran had missed the past three weeks with a high ankle sprain suffered in the opening contest against the Dallas Cowboys.
A 2017 first-round pick, Njoku has always been an integral part of the Cleveland offense but broke out in a big way last season, setting career-highs for receptions (81), yards (882), and touchdowns (6). He caught four passes for 44 yards in Week 1, but hurt himself in the third quarter while being tackled on a 29-yard gain.
With Njoku out, the Browns' already shaky offense has continued to struggle, currently ranking second-to-last in the NFL at 246.3 yards per game. Quarterback Deshaun Watson has also thrown just four TD passes while posting a 1-3 record.
Adding to Cleveland's offensive woes has been a dismal offensive line, which at one point last week was without four of its normal five starters. As has been the case for the entire season so far, right tackle Jack Conklin will be inactive Sunday in Landover, Maryland, however left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. and center Ethan Pocic will start after missing all or part of last week's contest. Wills has played in just one game so far this year as he continues to recover from knee surgery.
The Browns' other inactives for Week 5 are as follows:
- QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (emergency third quarterback)
- WR Jamari Thrash
- OT James Hudson III
- OG Javion Cohen
- LB Jordan Hicks
- CB Kahlef Hailassie
