The Cleveland Browns let David Njoku go in the offseason because of the rise of second-year tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and what the Browns believe he can be in his second season and beyond. 

Fannin had a successful rookie campaign, leading Cleveland in receiving yards in 2025 with 731 yards and 6 touchdowns. The problem is the Browns still need a second tight end to step up, and that hasn’t happened during training camp.

One of the rookies Cleveland hoped could fill that role has not been with the team. Fifth-round pick Joe Royer, the former Cincinnati and Ohio State tight end, has not participated in training camp while dealing with an undisclosed matter. While the team is supporting him through it, the extended absence is concerning for a player the Browns need as part of their tight end depth.

Browns tight end room lacks depth behind Harold Fannin Jr.

Cleveland is relying on free agent Jack Stoll, Blake Whiteheart, and seventh-round rookie Carsen Ryan to fill out the tight end room behind Fannin. That group simply isn’t good enough if the Browns want to operate at their best on offense.

Royer is a solid pass-catching tight end who still needs to continue developing as a blocker, but he had the potential to be a useful piece for Cleveland’s depth this season. Now things are hanging in the balance because he hasn’t been with the team through training camp.

Browns head coach Todd Monken was asked about a possible return for Royer this week.

“I don’t know that. I’m hopeful that we get Joe back soon, but I can’t speak to that,” he stated.

This has been a quiet situation without much information available. First and foremost, you hope everything is okay with Royer and those around him. Still, the Browns need their rookie tight end on the field at some point, and he is gearing up to miss his second preseason game with the team. 

Unless he returns next week, Royer will not play in the preseason at all, which would be bad news for a player trying to carve out a role in year one.

Cleveland made a calculated decision to move on from Njoku and trust its young tight end group. Getting Royer back healthy and on the field before the regular season will be important if that decision is going to pay off the way the Browns envision.