CLEVELAND — As the Cleveland Browns gear up to make a push for the playoffs in the final six weeks of the regular season, they'll once again be with one of their top offensive weapons after designating tight end David Njoku for a return from injured reserve.
A first-round pick in 2017, Njoku has been absent from each of the Browns' past eight games after suffering a fractured wrist in the team's Week 2 win over the New York Jets. Although the Browns now have 21 days to officially activate him -- or else he will remain on injured reserve -- the team plans on having Njoku practice on Wednesday, which could indicate his return will come as early as this Sunday's matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Njoku's return -- whenever it comes -- will be a welcome one for a Cleveland offense that has struggled with consistency throughout the 2019 season. In Njoku's place, the Browns have leaned on Demetrius Harris and Ricky Seals-Jones at tight end, with the two players having combined for a total of 19 receptions, 247 yards and 4 touchdowns this season.
With Baker Mayfield bouncing bag from a sluggish early-season start, Njoku should find himself with no shortage of opportunities as opposing defenses key in on wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, as well as running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Last season, the Miami (Fla.) product tallied 56 receptions, 639 yard and 4 touchdowns and had caught four passes for 37 yards and one score in his first two games of 2019.
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