Key Browns Veteran ‘Unlikely’ To Play Against Texans
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The Cleveland Browns have been one of the most surprising teams this season, both by how they’ve won games and who they’ve won games with this year.
Cleveland started four total quarterbacks before it clinched a postseason berth, most recently with veteran Joe Flacco under center.
The team also beat Super Bowl contenders like the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens on its way to an 11-6 record.
Now, the Browns will head to Houston to play the Texans on Saturday in the first round of the playoffs most likely without one of the key contributors.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Jan. 9 that kicker Dustin Hopkins is “unlikely” to suit up while he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, according to 247 Sports’ Brad Stainbrook.
Hopkins has missed the past two games with the injury after putting together one of the best kicking seasons in the NFL.
His field goal conversions helped the Browns win multiple one-score games this season.
The team added Riley Patterson as Hopkins’ replacement after the injury was revealed to be more serious following Week 16.
With Hopkins most likely out for the wildcard game, Patterson will likely re-assume his role as the Browns’ top kicker for the game.
The last time the Browns and Texans faced off was, coincidentally, the same game Hopkins got injured.
Cleveland won that game easily, though, 36-22, behind another incredible performance from Flacco.
