LAC David Njoku
NFL player. Position: TE. Team: LAC.
Quick Facts
- Position: TE
- Team: LAC (Los Angeles Chargers)
2026 Outlook
Njoku joined the Chargers in 2026 free agency on a one-year deal worth up to $8 million. After nine seasons with the Browns, he was allowed to reach free agency once Harold Fannin Jr. took over the primary receiving role in 2025. In Los Angeles, Njoku is part of Mike McDaniel's scheme overhaul and joins a crowded pass-catcher group alongside Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre' Harris.
He's being deployed as part of the team's new 13-personnel package (3 TEs on field), modeled after Sean McVay's high-efficiency Rams system. Njoku, Oronde Gadsden II, and Charlie Kolar form a three-tight-end rotation designed to create schematic mismatches and exploit defensive coverage gaps, particularly in the red zone. In 2025, the Rams ran 13-personnel 30.5% of the time with the highest EPA per play in the NFL, and deployed it 36.76% of the time in the red zone. The Chargers ranked 29th in red-zone efficiency last year, suggesting potential for improvement with this new approach (per Observations from Chargers OTAs: Mike McDaniel May be Borrowing from Sean McVay, Rams). CBS Sports' 50 under-the-radar players list identifies Kolar as the player who "best defines what Mike McDaniel wants to do" in the TE room, noting Kolar's strong blocking will feature heavily despite limited receiving production history, suggesting Njoku and Gadsden II will compete for pass-catching opportunities (per 50 days until the 2026 NFL season: Here are 50 under-the-radar players who could shape it).
RotoBaller notes that while Njoku's 2025 production (lowest reception and yardage totals since 2020) reflects his reduced role in Cleveland, "offering a rare blend of size and athleticism, Njoku should still see plenty of fantasy spike weeks, making him an attractive late-round best ball target" in the Chargers' three-TE system (per 2026 Dynasty Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings (Top 70): Post-NFL Draft). Njoku's role is committee-based—expect shared snap counts and high-leverage red-zone opportunities.
Week 1 performance (Sept 13): Njoku surprisingly led the Chargers' tight ends in their 26-14 opening loss to Arizona, catching all five of his targets for 58 receiving yards (second-most on the team behind Ladd McConkey's 82 yards). The 30-year-old played 30 snap counts equal to Charlie Kolar's snap share, demonstrating legitimate viability in the three-tight-end rotation. With his most pass-catching experience among the TE room, Njoku appears positioned to compete effectively for red-zone opportunities and periodic spike weeks throughout the season. (per Weekend Waiver Wire Rankings - Fantasy Football Week 2 (2026) - RotoBaller)
Week 2 lower-body injury (Sep 20): Njoku suffered a lower-body injury in the first half of the Chargers' Week 2 game against the Raiders and was carted off the field. Severity and timeline unknown pending evaluation. His quick emergence as a viable option in the three-TE committee makes his availability a watching point for the Chargers' red-zone approach. Oronde Gadsden II and Charlie Kolar will see increased snaps if Njoku misses time. (per Week 2 NFL scores, live updates: Caleb Williams carted off with apparent non-contact injury)
July 29 injury status: Njoku is fully healthy after suffering a left PCL sprain during a Week 14 game against the Titans. After signing with the Chargers in free agency, he was a full participant throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp with no lingering effects. He enters training camp with no structural limitations and is expected to play a key role in Mike McDaniel's offense, though the severity of the PCL sprain was never fully disclosed. (per 2026 NFL Tight End Injury Preview: TEs to Watch Entering the Season)
Role / Depth Chart
Member of three-tight-end committee. Rotating snaps in 13-personnel packages.
Injury Status
Week 2 lower-body injury (Sep 20): Njoku suffered a lower-body leg injury in the first half of the Chargers' Week 2 game vs. Raiders and was carted off. Placed on injured reserve on Sep 23. Severity and timeline for return unknown pending evaluation. Oronde Gadsden II will see increased snaps in the absence of both Njoku and Charlie Kolar (per David Njoku Injury Update: Chargers TE Carted Off in First Half With Leg Injury) and After putting two tight ends on injured reserve, Chargers sign Hayden Rucci).
Recent News
- 2026-05-11 — David Njoku Ruins Fantasy Outlook for Chargers TEs (David Njoku Ruins Fantasy Outlook for Chargers TEs)
- 2026-09-20 — David Njoku Injury Update: Chargers TE Carted Off in First Half With Leg Injury (David Njoku Injury Update: Chargers TE Carted Off in First Half With Leg Injury)
- 2026-08-10 — Chargers Training Camp: Njoku praises Herbert, O'Leary discusses defense, Eboigbe eyes... (Chargers Training Camp: Njoku praises Herbert, O'Leary discusses defense, Eboigbe eyes...)
- 2026-03-10 — Browns' David Njoku gets $10 million contract update with free agent TE rankings (Browns' David Njoku gets $10 million contract update with free agent TE rankings)
- 2026-03-09 — The Best Tight End Free Agents For Fantasy Football 2026: Dallas Goedert, David Njoku... (The Best Tight End Free Agents For Fantasy Football 2026: Dallas Goedert, David Njoku...)
- 2026-05-11 — Tight end David Njoku agrees to deal with Chargers - The Athletic (Tight end David Njoku agrees to deal with Chargers - The Athletic)
- 2026-06-22 — AFC West in 2026: Case for/against the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders to win... (AFC West in 2026: Case for/against the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders to win...)
- 2026-03-14 — These Vikings Players Landed New Teams This Week (These Vikings Players Landed New Teams This Week)
- 2026-06-15 — Chargers TE depth chart: Who will make the 53-man roster? (Chargers TE depth chart: Who will make the 53-man roster?)
- 2026-05-14 — 2026 NFL Bye Weeks: Complete Schedule and Fantasy Football Guide (2026 NFL Bye Weeks: Complete Schedule and Fantasy Football Guide)