The Cleveland Browns’ offense which was stuck in the mud against the Dallas Cowboys was dealt a major blow by tight end David Njoku suffering a high-ankle sprain in the season opener.
C.J. Uzomah – PHOTO: NEW YORK JETS
As quarterback Deshaun Watson struggled mightily pushing the ball downfield against the Cowboys, losing a weapon such as Njoku could have wide-ranging consequences for Cleveland’s offense.
With Njoku potentially sidelined for weeks, one NFL analyst has the ideal replacement in Watson’s arsenal.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon put together a list of ideal free agent fits, including the Browns signing tight end C.J. Uzomah to replace Njoku.
“He’s 31 now, but longtime Bengal C.J. Uzomah hit almost 500 yards while scoring five touchdowns in 2021,” Gagnon writes for B/R. “And was still active with the Jets the last two years.
“Cleveland has reportedly already hosted Irv Smith Jr., Tommy Sweeney and Geoff Swaim, but those guys are a lot less accomplished and the 0-1 Browns can’t mess around here.”
What C.J. Uzomah Would Bring Cleveland Browns
Nov 12, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New York Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah (87) runs the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Uzomah spent much of the offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles before being released amid final roster cuts following training camp.
Through the first nine seasons of his career, Uzomah, 31, has caught 192 passes for 1,881 yards with 16 touchdowns, including reaching the end zone three times over the past two years.
As things stand, Jordan Akins is the only tight end on the Browns’ roster, other than Njoku, so bringing in an experienced and capable veteran like Uzomah may be exactly what Cleveland needs to elevate the offense in coming weeks against the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and Washington with Njoku’s availability in doubt.
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Matt Lombardo is a seasoned NFL reporter, with over 12 years of experience covering the league.
In addition to his work at Gridiron Heroics, Lombardo covers the NFL for Heavy.com, is an on air sports contributor for FOX29 Philadelphia, and writes an NFL Substack "Between The Hashmarks."
Lombardo is the former Senior NFL Insider of FanBuzz, and prior to taking that role was a national NFL reporter at FanSided where he hosted a weekly podcast "The Matt Lombardo Show."
A former beat reporter for NJ Advance Media (Parent company of NJ.com and the Newark Star Ledger), Lombardo covered the Philadelphia Eagles from 2011 through the 2017 season before moving to cover the New York Giants for the Star Ledger for two seasons from 2018 through 2020.
During his career to date, Lombardo has covered five Super Bowls, four NFL Drafts, multiple NFL Combines, and has had his work frequently featured in publications such as Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, and more.
In addition to his journalism work, Lombardo is a strong on air presence and is a former sports talk radio host on 97.5 FM The Fanatic, Philadelphia's first FM Sports Station and the radio home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers.