Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins will miss Jets game and is week-to-week; punter added to practice squad

Browns kick Dustin Hopkins has been added to the practice squad; he will be missing Jets games on a week-to-week basis.

Due to a left hamstring injury, Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins is expected to be out of the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Jets, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski’s announcement on Tuesday. Riley Patterson was added by the Browns to their training squad on Monday.

Stefanski’s only response when asked about the punting problem was, “We’ll see.” When asked wether Corey Bojorquez, who hurt his left kicking leg on a kickoff on Sunday instead of Hopkins, would play against the Jets, he replied, “Not sure yet.”

“Sometimes it’s difficult to stop working hard,” Hopkins remarked following Sunday’s game. “I’m going to give it everything I’ve got if I’m in the game, and maybe I can teach my son the same thing.”

However, given that I knew he got the angle on me in this particular situation, perhaps I ought to have closed the gap five yards sooner or something.

Following Hopkins’ injury, the Browns decided not to try any field goals and extra points, and safety D’Anthony Bell took over at kickoff when Bojorquez was injured.

Most notably, Stefanski decided against trying a 36-yard field goal with five seconds left in the first half, instead letting Flacco throw to the end zone.

Due to a left hamstring injury he suffered in the first half of Sunday’s victory against the Houston Texans, Dustin Hopkins will be out of action for at least a few days, including the game on Thursday against the New York Jets.

The Browns will only qualify for the postseason twice since 2002 if they win. Stefanski stated that it is premature to determine whether Hopkins will return for the postseason.

In his debut season with the Browns (10-5), Hopkins has been among the NFL’s most accurate kickers.

However, coach Kevin Stefanski stated on Tuesday that Hopkins is “week to week.” Hopkins was hurt while pursuing Texans returner Dameon Pierce for a 98-yard touchdown.

The Browns have been devastated by injuries since the season began, so Hopkins’ departure presents Stefanski the his staff with yet another obstacle. Throughout the season, they have filled in holes all across the roster.

The Browns tried out a number of kickers on Monday before deciding to sign Riley Patterson. Hopkins, who has converted 33 of 36 field goals along with eight of his efforts longer than 50 yards, will be temporarily replaced by him.

Patterson has made 37 appearances for Jacksonville and Detroit. He’s converted 87 of 90 extra point tries and 58 of 66 field goal attempts. Unexpectedly, the Lions cut him in Week 15.

Stefanski remarked, “Did a nice job in his workout; obviously she has production in this league this season.”

“A man we feel at ease with, then.” Thompson-Robinson, who was using a cane to help him walk, momentarily entered the dressing room.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, a rookie quarterback, is now on the Texans injured reserve after suffering a hip injury.

Joe Flacco is Cleveland’s fourth starting quarterback after Thompson-Robinson made a trio of starts due to injuries.

The quadriceps in Corey Bojorquez’s left kicking leg was hurt on Sunday; it is unknown how he will feel on Thursday. Complicating matters, Bojorquez is also the holder for the Browns.

Punter Matt Haack was added to the training squad by the team as backup in case Bojorquez is unable to play. Haack has played for Buffalo, Indianapolis, and Miami.

Before playing the Jets, Patterson and Haack practiced in Cleveland Browns Stadium on Tuesday to at least get a feel for the field.