David Njoku or Pat Freiermuth: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Start Freiermuth — Njoku is ruled out.
David Njoku is ruled out, which settles it: Pat Freiermuth is the only startable side of this call. Freiermuth projects 8.5 PPR points.
David Njoku
4.55.76.9 Projected Points
Pat Freiermuth
4.46.48.5 Projected Points
David Njoku’s market
Pat Freiermuth’s market
Why David Njoku
SitVeteran pass-catching TE with athletic seam-stretching traits. Yards-after-catch threat in a shared tight end room.
Ruled out — verdict void; pivot to your bench.
- Currently ruled out — not a viable start until his status changes.
- LV ranks 12 of 32 against TEs (a middle-of-the-road matchup, 2-game sample).
- Vegas implies 25.5 team points as 8.5-point favorites.
- Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 36% snap share.
Latest on Njoku
David Njoku is going on Injured Reserve after suffering an injury in Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Charlie Kolar & David Njoku Headed to Injured Reserve; Awosika & Tomlinson To "Miss Some Time" With Injurieschargers.com · Sep 21, 2026David Njoku is being placed on injured reserve and will be sidelined for at least four games with a fibula injury.
Chargers placing TEs David Njoku, Charlie Kolar on IRESPN · Sep 21, 2026The Chargers listed David Njoku as questionable to return.
Chargers TE David Njoku leaves game with knee injuryESPN · Sep 20, 2026The NFL has long had a significant African presence, but no country is represented quite like Nigeria.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Pat Freiermuth
StartTE1 in pass-catching role. Reliable chain-mover with red-zone size and dependable hands.
Start — TE24 consensus, projects TE20 this week: NE is the 3rd-toughest matchup vs TEs, 14% target share.
- NE ranks 3 of 32 against TEs (one of the tougher matchups, 2-game sample).
- Vegas implies 19.5 team points as 4.5-point underdogs.
- Listed TE on the latest depth chart with a 70% snap share.
Latest on Freiermuth
Freiermuth is positioned to remain a primary target in Week 2 after catching all five of his targets for 46 yards and the offense's only touchdown in Week 1, especially if Pittman is limited or out.
SI.com (Steelers On SI) · Sep 17, 2026Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | David Njoku | Pat Freiermuth |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 4.55.76.9 | 4.46.48.5 |
| Consensus rank | — | TE24 |
| Opponent vs position | LV · 12 of 322-game sample | NE · 3 of 322-game sample |
| Receptions | 9 of 32 | 4 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 8 of 32 | 4 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | 16 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Targets | 12 of 32 | 3 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 14 of 32 | 1 of 32 |
| Target share | 15% | 14% |
| Reception share | 19% | 19% |
| Implied total · spread | 25.5-8.5 | 19.5+4.5 |
| Depth chart | TE3 | TE1 |
| Snap share | 36% | 70% |
| Injury designation | O | — |
Recent form
David Njoku — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs ARI | 5.88.310.8 |
Pat Freiermuth — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs ATL | 10.613.115.6 |
Signal breakdown
- 6.9 vs 8.5 projected PPR pointsPat Freiermuth +
- Consensus position rankeven
- Opponent DvP rank 12 vs 3 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 25.5 vs 19.5 team pointsDavid Njoku +
- A ruled-out player cannot be a startPat Freiermuth +
- 36% vs 70% snap sharePat Freiermuth +
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