Gary Barnidge Injury: Updates on Browns TE's Forearm, Hip and Return

Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge suffered an ankle injury in Week 5 against the New England Patriots, but heading into Week 6, it was revealed that he was also dealing with forearm and hip issues. However, he is ready to play.

Continue for updates.

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Barnidge Active vs. Titans

Sunday, Oct. 16

The Browns announced that Barnidge was available against Tennessee in Week 6.

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Barnidge Looking to Duplicate 2015 Success

Barnidge was one of the few bright spots for the Browns in 2015, and his emergence was one of the bigger individual surprises of the season.

During his first six seasons in the league, the 31-year-old had just 44 receptions for 603 yards and three touchdowns. With Jordan Cameron gone, Barnidge was the unquestioned starting tight end in Cleveland, and he made the most of his opportunity.

He caught 79 passes for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns and reached the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.

Barnidge was particularly great early in the year. Between Weeks 3 and 6, he had 358 yards and five touchdowns, via the NFL:

Through five games this season, Barnidge has hauled in 21 catches for 236 yards.

Pro Football Focus graded him the 15th-best tight end (74.4) in the league. Barnidge's poor blocking dragged down his overall grade since PFF gave him an 88.3 as a receiver, which was eighth-highest at his position.

Football Outsiders, meanwhile, ranked Barnidge third among tight ends in defense-adjusted yards above replacement (218) in 2015.

His performance was all the more impressive considering how dire the Browns' quarterback situation was. Regular starter Josh McCown missed half the season, and Johnny Manziel and Austin Davis combined to make up the team's other eight starts at QB.

Taking Barnidge out of the equation would have been a major blow to a passing game that has already undergone a plethora of changes this season. Due to the injuries of Robert Griffin III and McCown, the Browns have had to rely on rookie Cody Kessler early in the season. When he went down last week with chest and rib issues, veteran backup Charlie Whitehurst took the reins.