Browns TE David Njoku and Jameis Winston will be emergency QB3s against the Bengals

CINCINNATI – The Cleveland Browns are down in Cincinnati, facing the Bengals in their second game against their AFC North rivals, hoping to end Cincy’s playoff hopes with a win. They will do this by returning some guys to the field and resting others.

Tight end David Njoku, who is dealing with a hamstring injury suffered against the Steelers that sidelined him last week, has been cleared to return to play.

Njoku said he was struggling with the hamstring injury. He was a game-time decision last week against the Chiefs and was ruled out after pregame warmups. Before Sunday’s game in Cincinnati, Njoku was listed as questionable, which was another game-time decision. He was released before kick-off and is active for Sunday’s game.

Meanwhile, quarterback Jameis Winston was downgraded to inactive.

Winston appeared on the injury report during this week of practice with right shoulder soreness. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday that the shoulder was still bothering Winston and that they would have to work through the weekend to see if Winston felt well enough to serve as the backup quarterback, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson the starting quarterback give.

With shoulder soreness still prevalent Sunday, the Browns listed Winston as inactive. He will serve as QB3, the team’s emergency quarterback. That means Bailey Zappe will serve as QB2 behind Thompson-Robinson against the Bengals.

Cornerback MJ Emerson, who was logged for a concussion during the game against the Chiefs, has been working through the clearance process all week. He returned to practice Thursday but remained in protocol and limited. He is also dealing with a back injury. Emerson was listed as questionable early in the game and was cleared to play before kickoff.

Here is the complete list of Browns who were inactive for Sunday’s game against the Bengals:

• QB Jameis Winston (3QB)
• WR Cedric Tillman
• CB Kahlef Hailassie
• CB Chigozie Anusiem
• TE Brenden Bates
• DT Shelby Harris
• EN Cameron Thomas

Tillman had been listed as questionable for Sunday’s game earlier in the weekend because he was still nursing a concussion after taking a hit in the Week 12 game against the Steelers. It was close to being released, but could not be completely removed from the record. Tillman was downgraded to out for Saturday’s game.
Harris was sidelined Friday as he was still dealing with an elbow injury he suffered against the Chiefs that kept him out of practice all week. With Harris out, rookie Mike Hall Jr. is expected to start at defensive tackle.

On Saturday, the Browns elevated Hailassie and wide receiver James Proche II from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s game.