Tight end David Njoku, one of the Browns' three first-round draft picks, will not play in the team's preseason opener Thursday against New Orleans.

Coach Hue Jackson announced Wednesday on his radio show that Njoku would be sidelined as he continues to battle a lower back issue that initially flared up in practice Aug. 3.

Njoku participated in the Browns' intrasquad scrimmage on Friday but was held out of Tuesday's practice.

He addressed the media before practice and said his back "just got a little tight."

Njoku has had a difficult camp, with several drops outnumbering his good catches. He looks like a freak athlete, but at times seems to fight the ball a bit.

The Browns selected him 29th overall after a trade with Green Bay, then released Gary Barnidge the next day, effectively giving Njoku the starting job. But when Cleveland's first (unofficial) depth chart came out Monday, he was listed as first team.

"It is different than college," Njoku said. "The NFL is a lot faster. I'm just getting into it, going through the process and working hard."