Browns status updates vs. Chiefs on David Njoku, Joel Bitonio, Cedric Tillman and others

The news is slightly better for Browns left guard Joel Bitonio, although he is also listed as questionable. He returned to training on Friday. He missed training on Wednesday and Thursday due to a back injury.

“This week is the first time he’s come out there,” Stefanski said. “Got a good move, but I’ll just have to wait and see how he reacts in the next 48 hours.”

The 33-year-old Bitonio has started all 13 games this season and has missed just two regular-season games since 2017, one due to injury and the other when the Browns sidelined most of their starters in Week 18 last season.

He also missed the Browns’ wild-card win over Pittsburgh in the 2020 season when he tested positive for COVID-19.

“If anyone can do it, I think it’s Joel,” offensive line coach Andy Dickerson said. “I trust him, he’s been doing this at a high level for a long time.”

Bitonio sounded cautiously optimistic on Thursday.

“We’re working on it,” he said. “We’re taking it one day at a time and I feel like at this point in the year, over the last couple of years, I’ve had a little bit of back pain and we’re just trying to get to a point where we’re going out can get there and move and feel comfortable out there.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Browns ruled out second-year receiver Cedric Tillman, who remains in the concussion protocol. He practiced on a limited basis throughout the week and expected to return this week, but was unable to complete the protocol on time.

“He just hasn’t fully worked through the protocol yet,” Stefanski said.

Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., cornerback Myles Harden and linebacker Khaleke Hudson were also questionable.

Hall and Harden are expected to come off injured reserve and play Sunday.

Hudson was injured during practice on Thursday.

As for Njoku, his season didn’t go as expected with 56 catches for 439 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. His 7.8 yards per reception is a career low. Still, his loss would be felt. He has been attacked 30 times in the last two weeks.

“Obviously Dave plays a big role in what we do, but I think we have a lot of confidence in this room and the guys stepping up and that’s part of this league and part of what you have to go through as the league progresses. offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said Thursday. “If someone has a problem and they can’t walk, someone needs to intervene. And when it’s someone like Dave who does so many different things, of course that’s a committee approach and that’s fine.”

He missed three games earlier this season due to an ankle injury.

The Browns will rely on veteran Jordan Akins alongside Blake Whiteheart.

Akins has 24 catches for 243 yards and one score in 13 games. Whiteheart has four catches for 42 yards and a touchdown in seven games.

They also added Tre’ McKitty to the practice squad. McKitty spent three seasons with the Chargers, appearing in 34 games and catching 16 passes for 117 yards.