Browns List Key Pass-Catcher As Questionable For Patriots Game

The New England Patriots are relatively healthy entering Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, who have one significant development to monitor.

Cleveland listed David Njoku as questionable on Friday’s injury report. The tight end returned to practice this week as a limited participant after missing a Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins with a knee injury.

“Dave has worked very hard,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s pushing through this rehab and has looked like himself. But we’ll always be smart with these injuries.”

Njoku played 36 snaps before sustaining the injury during a Week 6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 2017 first-round pick has yet to truly hit his stride this season.

After years of underwhelming results, Njoku finally broke out to record career highs in catches (81), receiving yards (882) and touchdowns (six) during a 2023 Pro Bowl campaign. He settled for 505 yards in 11 games last season and has caught 23 of 36 targets for 223 yards and a touchdown in 2025.

Yet Njoku appeared on the cusp of a potential breakthrough when tallying a season-high 67 yards and his lone touchdown during Dillon Gabriel’s first career start in Week 5. The rookie quarterback targeted the eight end six times before Njoku exited the Week 6 matchup.

In Njoku’s absence, rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. secured four of five targets for 35 yards against Miami. The third-round pick has more targets (43) and receiving yards (290) than his veteran teammate this season.

The Browns also listed defensive tackle Adin Huntington as questionable for Sunday’s game. He returned to practice on Friday but still must clear the league’s concussion protocol.

Cleveland’s defensive line will welcome some reinforcements, as Mike Hall Jr. is slated to make his season debut after missing the first seven games with a knee injury.