David Njoku Fights Through Fire to Fuel the Browns’ Playoff Hopes in a Career Year for the TE

Despite battling a ton of injuries which includes their quarterback being ruled out for the entire season due to a shoulder surgery, the Cleveland Browns have still come out 9-5, with three games left to spare. If they continue with the same momentum, it will be their fourth winning season in the last 24 years. Although they haven’t secured a playoff berth yet, the next three games might just do the trick for them. It will be only their third playoff appearance since 1998. And winning the game on Christmas Eve, against the Houston Texans, will be a step in that direction.

In 2017, the Browns had a terrible year and ended up losing all 16 regular season games. Their 0-16 record was their first, and hopefully the last, since they joined the league in 1946. Now their fortunes have changed, and with it that of Njoku as well. We don’t mean it figuratively when we say that David Njoku has fought through fire to play for his team this season.

David Njoku is the embodiment of the Browns’ indomitable spirit

Two days before the Week 4 game against the current AFC leaders, the Baltimore Ravens, he was involved in a firepit accident. The tight end ended up with burns on his face, hands, and arms. Yet, in what is a testament to the strength of his spirit, he played the game against the Ravens. And that’s not all. Even though the team lost 28-3, he caught six passes for 46 yards, which was higher than any other Browns player in that game.

Njoku has not missed a single game this season! In the 14 games that he has played so far, he recorded 69 catches, five touchdowns, and 704 passing yards. His passing yards stats are the highest in the team.

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Last season as well, Njoku started strong but had to miss three games owing to various injuries. Can he continue to grow at the same pace in the coming years?

Njoku is eager to fast-track his growth

He joined the league in 2020, as a 20-year-old, fresh out of college. Njoku was the first-round pick of the Browns and 29th overall pick. Initially, he struggled to live up to his team’s expectations. But fast-forward seven years, he is now 27 and when asked about his growth, he said, “As far as hell. Far. I think there was a lot of maturity that happened over the last seven years, and I’m just blessed to be here.”

He also has a good relationship with his head coach, Kevin Stefnaski. Although the two did not get off on the right foot initially, things have become smoother now. “I try to be as real with them and honest with them,” Stefanski said, and that he might not always be on the best terms with his players, but he always wants the best for them.

When the Browns take on the Texans at NRG Stadium on December 24, at 1 p.m. ET, will Njoku manage to come through for his team again?

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