BEREA, Ohio — The Chief doesn’t plan to be slammed for long.
Tight end David Njoku is extremely disappointed to sit out Sunday’s game against the Dolphins with the knee injury he suffered last Sunday in Pittsburgh, but hope to be back next week in New England.
“It was a brutal hit from a former Brown at that, you know what I mean,” Njoku told cleveland.com during a Trunk or Treat Halloween celebration he co-hosted for kids at Njoku Strong Health and Fitness Club in Westlake. “It is what it is. I’m rehabbing very well.”
Did he deem the hit from former Browns safety Juan Thornhill illegal? Njoku went up to grab a 14-yard pass over the middle, and Thornhill drilled him hard in the side and leg.
“I don’t think it was illegal,” Njoku said. “It was a good shot. That’s it.”
He was in and out of the lineup thereafter, but left for good late in the third quarter.
“It was all from that one hit,” he said.
He underwent an MRI the next day, and was relieved to find out it wasn’t serious and that he’d likely be out at least a week. If he has to miss next week too, he’d also have the bye week to heal, but he’s hoping it doesn’t come to that. In his absence, Blake Whiteheart will join fellow tight end Harold Fannin Jr. on the field or in the rotation.
Njoku is especially disappointed to sit this one out because he wants to help the Browns get in the win column and ease the frustration of losing.
“Obviously it’s frustrating as well and I agree (with Myles Garrett),” he said. “And a change needs to happen, that’s all.”
Change?
“We have to play better, we have to do everything better,” he said. “We’re not doing it up to par right now, so a change has to happen. We have to be better.”
Like the rest of his teammates, he was thrilled that Joe Flacco had such a great game Thursday night for the Bengals, throwing for 342 yards and 3 TDs en route to a 33-31 victory.
“I love Joe Flacco,” Njoku said. “I’m so glad for his success. I wish him all the best. Not surprised at all. At his age, he can still sling that ball.”
He said he doesn’t question the Browns decision for trading him.
“I just control what I can control,” he said.
What gives him hope the Browns can turn it around.
“Heart,” he said. “Heart of the city. Heart of ourselves. The pride to be the best that we can be.”
He loves what he’s seen so far from Dillon Gabriel.
“Dillon has great potential,” he said. “He’s a rookie. He makes things happen. He wants the team’s success just like I do. He didn’t even scratch his surface yet.”
He’s equally optimistic about Shedeur Sanders when his time comes.
“Exceptional,” Gabriel said. “He’s an exceptional athlete. An exceptional quarterback.”
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