David Njoku: “Thank god I’m alive”

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku is currently biding his time on the injured reserve list while he recovers from a broken wrist suffered in Week 2.

But the situation could have been far more worse, according to the third-year player.

Njoku spoke with the media on Thursday for the first time since the hit from New York Jets cornerback Nate Hairston that resulted in the broken wrist and a concussion. The hit, which came on a first-quarter throw from quarterback Baker Mayfield, saw Njoku land on his head and he is grateful he wasn’t injured more seriously, as he told The Beacon Journal’s Nate Ulrich:

“It was a cheap shot. You know? But it is what it is. It’s football. It comes with it. I thank God that I’m alive. It could’ve been a lot worse. So, yeah, I’m just happy to be here and just working. I’m happy to be alive.”

Njoku must miss a minimum of eight games while on injured reserve, so the earliest he would be able to return to the field would be the November 24 home game against the Miami Dolphins. He said he did not have surgery on his wrist, so that increases the likelihood that he will be back as the Browns enter what should be a playoff run

His absence opens up an opportunity for another tight end to make a play, and for at least one week Ricky Seals-Jones was that man. Seals-Jones had three receptions and a touchdown in Sunday’s win against the Baltimore Ravens, and with six more games on the schedule before Njoku is eligible to return, Seals-Jones has time to show the Browns he can be a viable option in the passing game.