Browns injury report foreshadows much easier path to victory for Chargers

The LA Chargers are on the road in Week 9 to take on a Cleveland Browns team that has taken a big step back in 2024. At 2-6, the Browns are closer to the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft than they are to being a playoff team in the crowded AFC.

However, all six losses came with Deshaun Watson starting under center, which is no longer the reality after he tore his Achilles. Former first-overall pick Jameis Winston started his first game in Week 8, leading Cleveland to an upset win over the Baltimore Ravens.

With Nick Chubb also back in the fold, this is not the same Browns team that started the season 1-6. Thus, the Chargers cannot take this game lightly, especially considering how important every AFC game will be with the crowded playoff picture.

All that being said, the Browns added a substantial player to the injury report on Thursday who the team needed to beat the Chargers. Tight end David Njoku was a surprise addition to the Browns injury report with ankle and hand injuries.

Browns will be hard-pressed to beat Chargers without David Njoku

Anything can happen and the Browns still cannot be taken lightly even if Njoku can't suit up. However, forecasting a path to victory is much tougher without Njoku than it is with him.

Njoku was one of Winston's top passing targets against the Ravens and there is not much to be excited about if he is not in the fold. Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Elijah Moore make up the top three wideouts in Cleveland. Two of those names are familiar, but it does not make them better than they are.

To be fair, all three members of that trio had big games against the Ravens a week ago. However, it is important to note that Baltimore ranks dead last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game this season. The Chargers rank ninth.

Los Angeles is also the only team in the NFL not to allow a single opponent to score 20 points this season. Last week was the first time the Browns scored more than 20 points.

Cleveland's offense looked good in its first game without Watson. But without Winston's most talented target, and against a defense that is among the league's best, it is hard to imagine Cleveland mustering any offensive momentum in this game.

On the flip side, the Chargers are dealing with injuries of their own on defense that could end up benefitting the Browns. This is not new for the Chargers, who have had players step up in the secondary when needed already this season.

As long as Justin Herbert plays like he has been the last few weeks, it should be a relatively smooth victory for Jim Harbaugh's Chargers.