Browns, Dustin Hopkins Agree To Three-Year Extension
The Cleveland Browns and kicker Dustin Hopkins have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. It's a well-deserved payday for the veteran kicker as he cashes in following the best season of his career. Over 15 games in 2023, he made 33 of 36 field-goal attempts (91.7%) while going 24-for-26 on extra points (92.3%). He ultimately finished as the No. 9 kicker in terms of fantasy points despite missing two games. Hopkins represents a solid draft pick in the later rounds of 2024 fantasy drafts.
Dustin Hopkins Has Recovered From Hamstring Injury
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) has recovered from the torn hamstring that he suffered on Christmas Eve last year against the Houston Texans that sidelined him for the rest of the season and the playoff loss. Despite being recovered from the injury, Hopkins was a notable absence during organized team activities this week. The Browns also have kickers Cade York and Lucas Havrisik on the current roster, but barring injury, the 33-year-old Hopkins figures to be the team's starting kicker in Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. Despite missing the final two games of the regular season last year, Hopkins finished as the No. 12 fantasy kicker by making 33 of his 36 field goal-attempts and 24 of his 26 extra-point tries. He'll be a fringe fantasy kicker in drafts this fall.
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) has officially been ruled out for Saturday's wild-card playoff game against the Houston Texans after missing practice all week. Hopkins will miss his third straight game due to his hamstring injury. Riley Patterson, who has served as Cleveland's kicker the last two games with Hopkins out, will likely be elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster for Saturday's playoff contest. The 24-year-old was the Detroit Lions' primary kicker for 13 games this year before getting cut and latching on with the Browns. In 15 total games between both teams this year, he's gone 16-for-18 on field-goal tries and has miss three of his 44 extra-point attempts. Fantasy managers should be looking for better options at the position on wild-card weekend.
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) missed a second straight day of practice on Wednesday. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Tuesday that Hopkins is unlikely to play in the wild-card game on Saturday against the Houston Texans. The 33-year-old also missed the final two games of the regular season with his hamstring injury and isn't going to be available for fantasy managers this weekend. In his first year with Cleveland, Hopkins made 33 of his 36 field-goal attempts and 24 of his 26 extra-point tries in 15 games played. Riley Patterson filled in for Hopkins the last two weeks and went 6-for-7 on his extra points and made his only field-goal attempt. Before coming to Cleveland, the 24-year-old went 15-for-17 on field goals and 35-for-37 on extra points in 13 games for the Detroit Lions. Fantasy managers should look for better kicking options on wild-card weekend.
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) is unlikely to face the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card game on Saturday, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. It's bad news for Cleveland in a critical time of the season, but it looks like Riley Patterson will handle the kicking duties. Hopkins was excellent during the regular season, connecting on 33 of his 36 field-goal attempts. He went 8-for-8 on tries of 50-plus yards. Patterson went 15-for-17 for the Detroit Lions this season before being released and signed by the Browns. Hopkins missed the final two games of the regular season with his hamstring injury and also didn't take part in the first practice of the week on Tuesday.
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. It will be the second straight missed game for the 33-year-old booter. Cleveland will be hoping Hopkins will be ready to roll for the wild-card round of the postseason next week. When healthy, Hopkins has been a fantasy relevant kicker this year, especially since quarterback Joe Flacco arrived and jumpstarted this offense. In 15 games in his first year with the Browns, Hopkins has gone 33-for-36 on field-goal attempts and 24-for-26 on extra points. With Hopkins being held out again this weekend, Riley Patterson will do the kicking for Cleveland and should be avoided in fantasy lineups with the Browns resting some of their key starters, including Flacco.
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) remained sidelined at practice on Thursday. Hopkins was forced to sit out on a short week in last Thursday night's win over the New York Jets and doesn't appear close to returning for a meaningless Week 18 regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday. The most likely scenario is that the Browns will rest the 33-year-old kicker and any other injured players like receiver Amari Cooper (heel) as they rest up for the wild-card round of the playoffs next week. Cleveland is already locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC, so Hopkins is likely to miss a second straight game this weekend. If that's the case, Riley Patterson will do the kicking for the Browns in Week 18. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a kicker.
Dustin Hopkins Still Dealing With Hamstring Injury
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) remained sidelined at practice on Wednesday. Hopkins wasn't able to kick in the Week 17 win over the New York Jets last Thursday night and might be forced to miss a second straight game this Sunday to close out the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns are already locked into the No. 5 seed for the playoffs, too, so they aren't going to rush any injured players back onto the field for this one in a meaningless game. As of right now, the veteran 33-year-old booter is looking like a fantasy option to avoid in fantasy lineups in Week 18, even if he ends up being active. Riley Patterson filled in for Hopkins in Week 17 and would get the starting nod again if Hopkins is ruled out this weekend.
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 17 against the New York Jets. He suffered the injury during Sunday's win over the Houston Texans and was estimated as a non-participant on Monday. The 33-year-old has been terrific this season, ranking as the No. 2 kicker in fantasy football after converting 24 of 26 extra points and 33 of 36 field goals. He will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis going forward. Cleveland signed kicker Riley Patterson to its practice squad and will presumably elevate him to the active roster before kickoff on Thursday night.
Dustin Hopkins Estimated As Non-Participant Monday
Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins (left hamstring) was estimated as a non-participant on Monday. While they didn't hold an official practice, the Browns evidently have some level of concern regarding the veteran kicker's status leading up to Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets. Hopkins initially suffered his injury while trying to make a tackle during a kickoff this past Sunday. He did not return to the game, and Cleveland bolstered its depth at the position by signing Riley Patterson to the practice squad on Monday. Fantasy managers invested in Hopkins' status should pay attention to his designation on the final injury report, which will be issued on Wednesday afternoon.
