Tight Ends Coach T.C. McCartney (11.11.22)
On TE David Njoku’s status:
“We will kind of see today what he can do, what it looks like and what it feels like. I have had conversations, and I know he is hopeful. Just have to see how that ankle responds over the next few hours and however many hours we have until game time. It is really up to that and how he feels going into it.”
On if it would be a quick turnaround from a high-ankle sprain if Njoku is able to play this week:
“Probably for most people, but he is not most people. I am hopeful that he can make it.”
On how much the Browns offense missed Njoku’s presence against the Bengals:
“I think anytime you take out an elite level of tight end, you are going to miss him. The guys did a great job stepping up, but it is just different whenever you put different players in the game. They have different skill sets and different strengths so you kind of just maneuver the offense around those things so it definitely changes. Always going to miss him, his playmaking ability, his ability to pass protect, his ability to affect the run game and really just his presence of being out there. He loves playing so that is contagious.”
On Njoku’s consistency this season:
“I think he is getting more opportunities this year. More opportunities. What is it his [sixth] year now? A lot of playing experience. He was so young when he came into the league. [Six] years now. He has gotten a lot of reps. He understands what is expected of him. He understands the NFL game. I think it has just been over time maturing as a player and as a person and then more opportunities now.”
On how high of a level Njoku was playing before sustaining the ankle injury and if he believes Njoku was performing among the top NFL tights ends:
“I do. I think he is an elite level tight end. I think he doesn’t always get the same love other people get because of production in the pass game, which he has had. He has been very productive this year. Just what he does all of the way through the game. I say it all the time – the pass protection, run game and production in the pass game – it puts him a class with all of the elite guys.”
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