Browns lose significant offensive weapon before hosting Chiefs in Week 15

The Cleveland Browns already had the odds stacked against them (literally) heading into Week 15 given that the team with the NFL's best record is coming to town. To make matters even worse, the Browns are "unlikely" to have the services of their best tight end, David Njoku, when they take the field on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set for a visit to Cleveland on Sunday to begin the final month of the regular season. At present, they are 12-1 and in the driver's seat for conference supremacy with important games looming against the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers.

As for the Browns, they've won only three games so far this season and struggled to score 14 against the Steelers last week. Now they must face a stingy Chiefs' defense without Njoku.

The Browns are "unlikely" to see one of their best pass catchers able to suit up against the Chiefs.

So far this season, Njoku has 56 catches for 436 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns—just one short of his career mark of 6 set last season. Njoku is second only to Jerry Jeudy in total targets this season at 87 (Jeudy has 97).

Without Njoku, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said the team will go with the committee approach at tight end against the Chiefs but the truth is that Jordan Akins alone is the only other reliable option. Blake Whiteheart is also on the roster with 4 catches for 42 yards. Options on the practice squad include Cam Latu and Tre' McKitty.

Given the way opposing tight ends have lit up the Chiefs defense this season since Isaiah Likely in Week 1 for the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns will miss Njoku's presence in the intermediate level for sure but bettors would do well to believe in lower-tier tight ends having a better-than-expected day against K.C.'s defense.