Njoku is in line to serve as Cleveland's top tight end for Monday's game against Las Vegas after Austin Hooper (illness) wasn't reinstated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, Anthony Poisal of the Browns' official site reports.
After missing Cleveland's Week 14 win over Baltimore while he resided on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Njoku was restored to the roster Thursday, two days after Hooper tested positive for the virus Tuesday. Even with the NFL pushing back the Browns' Week 15 game an extra two days, Hooper wasn't able to clear the necessary protocols, which should leave Njoku in store for one of his larger snap shares and target counts of the season. Cleveland could have No. 3 tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle) available Monday, but expect Njoku to see the bulk of the work at the position as the healthier option. Njoku will be working with third-string quarterback Nick Mullens, who will pick up the start with both Baker Mayfield (illness) and Case Keenum (illness) still stuck on the reserve/COVID-19 list.