CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Finally a sliver of positive news for the Browns when it comes to COVID.
Tight end David Njoku, who landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 7, has cleared the protocols and is ready to return.
Njoku made the announcement on his verified Instagram account with the caption, “Missed y’all too. Good to be back let’s get to work.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, the team has not made a roster move to activate Njoku.
Njoku’s return comes at an opportune time with fellow tight end Austin Hooper landing on reserve/COVID-19 Tuesday.
Let’s play – With the Browns reserve/COVID-19 list overflowing with key players, some feel that Saturday’s game should be postponed, but not linebacker Malcolm Smith.
“I would rather knock the games out to be honest with you,” Smith said. “We have the game on the schedule this week. Let’s go out, and if we have enough guys to play it, we have to play it. I do not see why waiting or moving it. ‘Oh, maybe it will be better it will be better later.’ Who knows? It could get worse. Let’s play the game.”
Despite the avalanche of bad news over the last 48 hours, morale remains high and Smith explained why.
“I do not think kind of the ‘quitter’ mentality makes it to the NFL,” Smith said. “Obviously, it is challenging to lose people. You do not know who, when, where or how it is being transmitted and stuff like that, but we have a lot of guys who love to compete. Obviously, other guys when you get opportunities, there have been guys who have been waiting for opportunities all year long so this is just a great opportunity to show how deep we are as a team and how resilient we can be. We have an awesome chance to go out and play a playoff game, essentially.”
Let’s play 2 – As if there was any doubt, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear that Saturday’s game will not be postponed.
“There has not been any discussion about that,” Goodell told reporters at the league’s owner’s meetings. “We feel confident that with continuing changes and adaptions through our protocols that we can do that [play].”
Head down – The Browns are sticking with kicker Chase McLaughlin – for now. McLaughlin has missed four field goals and also had a PAT blocked in the last six games.
“I think he needs to keep his head down a little bit longer and follow through towards his target a little bit more,” special teams coordinator Mike Priefer said. “That is something we have talked about kind of the last few weeks. I do not believe he did that one the one he missed [against the Ravens]. That is one that we have to have in the fourth quarter, which would have made it an 18-point game. That was a big miss, and he needs to make those.”
Roster adds – The Browns signed receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley to the active 53 Thursday. The team was also awarded defensive tackle Josiah Bronson off waivers from the Saints.
Notable quotable – “Like I said last year, I do not want him to say, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ That is my goal,” offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt on potentially calling plays Saturday.
Injury report – DNP: DE Jadeveon Clowney (knee/rest), DE Myles Garrett (rest), RB Kareem Hunt (ankle), DT Malik Jackson (knee), CB Greg Newsome II (concussion), WR Anthony Schwartz (concussion); LIMITED: LG Joel Bitonio (back), TE Harrison Bryant (ankle), S Ronnie Harrison (ankle), J.C.
Tretter (knee); FULL: LB Sione Takitaki (shoulder)
Because the Browns have yet to practice this week, this is a projection of participation from the team.
Up next – The Browns hope to hold a practice Thursday.
