![Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) takes the field before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]](https://cdn1.thecomeback.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/17576785-832x447.jpg)
The Cleveland Browns made a surprise move Saturday, adding David Njoku to the injury report ahead of their clash with the Baltimore Ravens.
The tight end, whom Browns fans call, “The Chief,” sustained “burn injuries to his face and arm during a household accident,” according to a team report.
Cleveland.com Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot added that Njoku suffered the injury while lighting his firepit and that he’ll be OK despite the freak injury.
David Njoku's burns occurred when he was lighting a firepit in his backyard. He's okay. https://t.co/Oajx4d7xJR
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 30, 2023
Njoku is a key cog in the Browns’ offense, and fans will certainly hope he will be able to play on Sunday despite the injury.
In case he can’t, however, the Browns elevated tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden from the practice squad to the active squad to give the tight end position some depth as a precaution.
“Mitchell-Paden (6-5, 257) is officially in his first NFL season out of Florida Atlantic,” the Browns noted in a release. “Mitchell-Paden initially signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad. He spent the first part of his college career at Division II Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, prior to playing at Florida Atlantic in 2021 as a graduate student. Mitchell-Paden will wear No. 83.”
