BEREA, Ohio — In the lead up to last Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium, the Cleveland Browns placed tight end David Njoku and linebacker Christian Kirksey on injured reserve, but there may be hope that one of those players could return sometime in 2019.
Njoku is dealing with a broken wrist, but the Browns confirmed prior to Wednesday’s practice that he will not undergo surgery. Currently, the Browns continue mulling the options for Kirksey, who is battling through a chest injury.
“I would say that is a decision that you would have to ask them about,” Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said of Njoku and Kirksey.
“It is probably a couple of different avenues they can go in each case, so you would have to ask them. I let (Player Health and Development Senior VP) Joe (Sheehan) and our trainers try to advise the best scenario for them personally, and that is what we tend to go off of.”
Until now, Njoku has not dealt with major injury concerns in his professional career, as he played in 34 straight games since joining the Browns via a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami (Florida).
This year, Njoku has four receptions in seven targets for 37 yards and one touchdown, which came in the Browns’ 43-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans in the 2019 regular-season opener at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland on Sunday, September 8.
Now in his sixth season with the Browns out of the University of Iowa and currently, a third-year captain, Kirksey registered 11 total tackles, including six solo stops and five assists, through the first two games.
Kirksey entered his sixth season with the Browns having played in 71 games with 52 starts. In those games, Kirksey registered 452 total tackles, including 282 solo stops, 170 assists and 11.5 sacks for 49.5 lost yards.
Also, Kirksey collected two interceptions, defended 17 passes, forced four fumbles and recovered three others.