The Cleveland Browns are looking to bounce back on Sunday after being smitten by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. However, the already injury-decimated Browns will be forced to do so without two key offensive contributors — and possibly more.
Tight end David Njoku is officially out of Sunday’s tilt at the Jacksonville Jaguars with an ankle injury suffered in the opening game. Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. is also out for a second consecutive game as his knee continues to trouble him in the wake of an arthroscopic surgery last December.
Wills’ offensive line mate, right tackle Jack Conklin is listed as questionable for Sunday, as he too continues his road back from a knee injury that ended his 2023 season. Neither Wills nor Conklin played in Week 1.
Cleveland Browns Decimated Up Front
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With neither Wills nor Conklin up front, the Cowboys’ defense made mincemeat of the Cleveland Browns offense last Sunday. Embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson was constantly on the run, with Dallas rolling up six sacks and intercepting a feeble-looking Browns signal caller twice in a 33-17 Cowboys victory.
There are tempered hopes that Conklin, a two-time Pro Bowler, will be able to play at Jacksonville after being a limited participant in practice throughout the week. Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke about Conklin on Friday, telling reporters:
However, no decision is likely coming until the short hours before kickoff on Sunday. Regarding Wills, he was a limited participant in practice this week but was still ruled out for the Jaguars contest. Wills returned to practice for the first time since last December’s surgery on Sept. 4.
Njoku Possibly Unavailable to Cleveland Browns for Some Time
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Njoku — the sometimes brilliant, other times confounding pass-catching threat that has Cleveland Browns either cheering or cursing — suffered what was reported as a high ankle sprain in the second half of last Sunday’s loss.
Finishing the Dallas game with four catches for 44 yards, while dropping a large amount of catchable passes, before heading to the medical tent in the third quarter. High ankle sprains have been known to keep players out for weeks if not months.
However, the severity of Njoku’s injury is not yet fully known. He did not practice at all this past week and is currently considered week-to-week. Njoku had a breakout campaign in 2023, recording career highs for receptions (81), yards (882), and touchdown catches (6). Jordan Akins figures to slot into Njoku’s starting slot until he is able to return to the field.
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