The Browns elevated kicker Riley Patterson on Saturday to possibly replace Dustin Hopkins vs. the Chiefs.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins won’t get booted to the bench without trying to get a leg up. The Browns elevated Riley Patterson from the practice squad on Saturday to possibly replace Hopkins Sunday against the Chiefs, but he certainly isn’t making it easy to sit him down, even if it’s just for a game.
Hopkins, who’s missed 6 of his last 9 kicks, had arguably his best week of practice this week, making every one of his kicks, with Patterson working alongside him. The Browns might still give Hopkins the week off to keep working out the kinks, but he may have solved the problem.he said Friday.Will the hometown guys shine as Browns host Chiefs? Will Taylor Swift make an appearance?: Ashley Bastock predictionsPatterson, signed to the Browns practice squad on Tuesday, has experience kicking at Huntington Bank Field in December. He signed with the Browns after Hopkins pulled his hamstring in the Christmas Eve victory over the Texans — while chasing down Dameon Pierce on his 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. A fourth-year pro out of Memphis, Patterson kicked for the Browns in the final two regular-season games and the playoff loss to the Texans, making his lone field goal attempt, a 33-yarder in the playoff-clinching victory over the Jets at home in Week 17, and 6 of 7 extra points, including two in the playoffs. Even if Patterson kicks on Sunday, Hopkins, who’s slipped to 16 of 25 field goals this season for 64%, knows he’s the Browns’ kicker going forward. They’ve given him numerous votes of confidence this week, and he’s under contract through 2027 at $5.3 million a year. “Regardless of what happens, I’ve got just tons of respect for the folks in this building and the way they’ve treated me and the way they treat other guys,” he said. “So I mean, it means a lot. So it’s made me respect and love them even more.”“I try to stay very neutral either way,” he said. “If it is, great, I have a week to continue to get better, and if I’m up, then great, I’ve got another opportunity to push through and be the best version of myself I can be. So either way, I’m going to turn it into a positive.” Receiver James Proche was also elevated from the practice squad and will return punts now that Kadarius Toney has been waived.Browns rookie defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. and rookie cornerback Myles Harden were both activated off injured reserve on Saturday and will face the Chiefs.Hall will play at his usual spot inside, but might also slide outside some to help rush Patrick Mahomes off the edge, and contain him. The Browns were happy with Hall’s explosiveness before he sprained the MCL in practice leading up to the Week 11 loss to the Saints. Can Myles Garrett win the battle of 95s with the Chiefs’ Chris Jones, who hopes Garrett ‘has no success against us’?The Chiefs, who have won on a number of walkoff field goals this season, will have their starting kicker back for the Browns game. Harrison Butker, who underwent a knee scope, was activated off injured on Saturday, and will kick at Hungtinton Bank Field.The Chiefs also ruled out starting left tackle D.J. Humphries with his hamstring injury, and the Chiefs will have to find Plan B for holding off Myles Garrett.The Browns didn’t elevate practice squad tight end Tre’ McKitty on Saturday, meaning they might still be holding out hope that tight end David Njoku can play. Njoku hasn’t practiced all week, but wasn’t ruled out. He said Friday his hamstring was tight, but he still had 48 hours to try to recover.If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
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