Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Browns place TE David Njoku on reserve/COVID-19 list

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 12/7/21

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed to reporters Monday he could play star running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt together on the field at the same time during Sunday's pivotal home game against the first-place Baltimore Ravens in an attempt to add a spark to a struggling offense that needs a banged-up Baker Mayfield to play his best football over the season's final five weeks.

It appears Stefanski and company may be without a key weapon on the second Sunday of December.

The Browns placed tight end David Njoku on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.

As Myles Simmons noted for Pro Football Talk, Njoku either tested positive for the coronavirus as a vaccinated player or has been deemed an unvaccinated high-risk close contact. Vaccinated players can be cleared to return to team activities if they remain asymptomatic and produce two negative virus tests at least 24 hours apart.

According to ESPN stats, Njoku leads the Browns with 407 receiving yards and is tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches. He's third among Cleveland players with 27 receptions.

Harrison Bryant is currently dealing with a high ankle sprain, meaning veteran Austin Hooper is on track to be Cleveland's TE1 for what would have to be considered a must-win matchup for the 6-6 Browns. Hooper is second on the team with 28 catches and has also contributed 261 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns this season.

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