BEREA — Tight end David Njoku isn’t only inconsistent when he tries to catch the ball.
Njoku asked for a trade in July then rescinded the request. And he said at least three times Tuesday he’s a member of the Browns for the “time being” before finally clarifying he wants to stay for the “long term.”
“I was just speaking on today and on now. I am not saying this is my last year here,” he said. “I am just talking because all we have is the present.
“Yes, I want to be here long term.”
Njoku was the No. 29 pick in 2017 and is under contract through 2021 but is coming off a lost season in which he broke his wrist in Week 2, clashed with then-coach Freddie Kitchens upon his return and finished with five catches for 41 yards and a touchdown in four games. The Browns signed free agent Austin Hooper to a giant contract in March but have been consistent in saying they believe Njoku can play a significant role in coach Kevin Stefanski’s scheme that relies on multiple tight ends.
“In the past, obviously, two-tight end sets in his offenses are very frequent,” Njoku said. “I believe Austin and I have talent that not many tight ends have.”
He declined to discuss the decision to request a trade and rescind it.
“Basically I would rather not go into it,” he said. “I understand where I am right now, I am a Cleveland Brown and I just want to leave it like that.
“I just feel like it is in my best interest to stay here for the time being and try to contribute in any way that I can to help the team win and succeed. I am here, I am excited to be here and I am ready to win.”
Wanting out never sits well with fans, and Njoku received backlash.
“I love the fans. Let me start off by saying that,” he said. “The Cleveland Browns fans, they are amazing — probably second to none. At the end of the day, this is a business. This is my life, and I choose to do what I do with my life. Now with that being said, I am still here, I am a Cleveland Brown and I am excited to be a Cleveland Brown.”
New tight ends coach Drew Petzing said Njoku has been great to work with and is in a good frame of mind.
“He came in ready to work and came in in phenomenal shape,” Petzing said. “He is asking questions and fully immersed in the playbook. He has done everything I asked since the moment I met him virtually in April.”
Njoku recently became a father.
“Very exciting,” he said. “It is a surreal experience.”
Mack Wilson carted off field after hyperextending knee, joins Nick Chubb on injured list
SEIZE THE JOB
Andrew Billings was signed in March to be a key part of the defensive tackle rotation, but he recently opted out due to coronavirus concerns.
“That definitely leaves a hole, but that obviously adds opportunity for some other guys,” defensive line coach Chris Kiffin said.
Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi are expected to be the starters, with rookie third-round pick Jordan Elliott coming off the bench. Eli Ankou and Daniel Ekuale are battling to be the fourth tackle.
“I told these guys this morning that the competition is open,” Kiffin said. “You have to go get this thing. We are looking for that fourth defensive tackle that is going to come in, play with his hair on fire and create plays.”
INJURY REPORT
Receiver Jarvis Landry (hip) and safety Karl Joseph (foot) practiced and participated in team drills after sitting out Monday, the first day in pads. They are completing their recoveries from surgeries.
** Ogunjobi (groin) didn’t practice, joining defensive end Myles Garrett (hamstring) and receiver Damion Ratley (groin) working on the side.
Garrett hasn’t practiced in the first four days of camp, but Kiffin said he will in a couple of days.
** Running back Nick Chubb (concussion) and center JC Tretter (knee surgery) weren’t on the field.
AUSTIN OF ALL TRADES
Hooper’s versatility was a big reason the Browns signed him to a four-year, $42.5 million deal in March. Hooper went to the Pro Bowl in his final two seasons with the Falcons.
“All of the different things you saw him doing with Atlanta from playing on the move, playing in line, stretching the field and being great in the keeper game and in the wide zone run game,” Petzing said. “I think all of that versatility really allows a player, a team and an offense to be explosive. That is something that strikes you right away when you turn on one game and he is doing what looks like eight different jobs in a matter of 15 plays.”
EXTRA POINTS
Undrafted rookie defensive end George Obinna (triceps) was waived/injured.
** Nickelback Kevin Johnson sacked Baker Mayfield with a third-down blitz off the edge that went unblocked.
** Receiver J’Mon Moore made a nice over-the-shoulder catch on a deep pass down the sideline from Case Keenum.
