Hopkins converted his lone field-goal attempt and extra-point kick in Thursday's 24-19 win over Pittsburgh in Week 12.
Both of Hopkins' chances came in the first half, before the weather conditions turned the stadium into shaken snow globe. The Browns went for two points after their two fourth-quarter touchdowns, one due to the conditions and the other was also a logical decision based on the score. The Browns' sputtering offense under Deshaun Watson earlier this season was not conducive to kicker scoring, but Hopkins' shaky season continued even as the offense improved in recent weeks with Jameis Winston under center. Hopkins ranks 27th in scoring among kickers with 56 points through 11 games played.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Bad day at office
Rotowire
Hopkins missed both field-goal attempts and did not attempt an extra-point kick following the Browns' two touchdowns in Sunday's 35-14 loss to the Saints in Week 11.
Hopkins had a day to forget, missing two kicks on consecutive drives in the first half when the game was still close. Hopkins actually missed three kicks -- a 32-yarder that was wide left -- but a Saints penalty gave the Browns another life, only to have it wasted, as Hopkins missed from 27 yards three plays later. He never had a chance to kick an extra point, as Cleveland opted to go for two points following both touchdowns. The Browns may have buyer's remorse after handing Hopkins a three-year deal in the offseason. The kicker has been successful on just 70 percent (14-of-20) of his field-goal kicks and missed two extra-point tries in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Minimal role in loss
Rotowire
Hopkins made one of two field-goal attempts and his lone extra-point kick in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Chargers in Week 9.
Hopkins connected from 38 yards early in the second quarter and later had a 51-yard attempt blocked. He's stuck on a team whose offense has been one of the worst in the league and doesn't project to get much better.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Perfect in win
Rotowire
Hopkins converted all three field-goal attempts and both extra-point kicks in Sunday's 29-24 win over Baltimore in Week 8.
Hopkins connected from 28, 33 and 48 yards and had a season-high 11 points. The kicking game, like the entire offense, benefitted from Jameis Winston starting at quarterback in place of the injured Deshaun Watson (Achilles). Winston sparked what had been a dormant offense and could lead to more kicker scoring. Hopkins has been shaky the last few weeks and already has the same number of missed kicks this season than he had over 17 games in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Shut out in Week 7 loss
Rotowire
Hopkins missed his lone field-goal attempt and only extra-point kick in Sunday's 21-14 loss to Cincinnati in Week 7.
Hopkins was wide left on a 49-yard field goal attempt and missed left on the extra-point try. He had a strong season for the Browns last year, but things haven't gone as smoothly for the placekicker or the Browns' offense in 2024. Hopkins has missed five kicks in seven games, the same number of misses over 15 games last season.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Costly XP miss
Rotowire
Hopkins successfully converted his lone field-goal attempt and one of two extra-point kicks in Sunday's 20-16 loss to Las Vegas in Week 4.
Hopkins rebounded from his first FGA miss in Week 3 by driving one through the uprights from 56 yards away, but the extra-point fail was costly. He was wide left early in the fourth quarter, a kick that would have left the Browns one score down instead of two had it been successful. That later proved to be critical when when Deshaun Watson was sacked inside the red zone on fourth down on the team's final possession. It's unlikely the miss will impact Hopkins' job, and the 1-3 Browns have many more pressing issues to address than their placekicker.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Not on injury report
Rotowire
Hopkins (undisclosed) is not listed on Wednesday's injury report, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Hopkins is ready to roll for Sunday's season opener against the Cowboys. The veteran kicker dealt with an undisclosed minor injury during the second half of August, but Hopkins never appeared at major risk of missing Week 1.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Agrees to three-year extension
Rotowire
Hopkins agreed to terms Monday on a three-year, $15.9 million extension with the Browns, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Hopkins' extension ties him to Cleveland through the 2027 campaign and makes him the fifth-highest-paid kicker in the NFL, tied with Ka'imi Fairbairn at $5.3 million annually. Across 15 games last season, the veteran kicker converted 33 of 36 field-goal attempts and 24 of 26 extra-point tries. At 92 percent, Hopkins' field-goal conversion rate in 2023 was the highest of his career.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Remains out Week 18
Rotowire
Hopkin (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Hopkins will sit out a second consecutive game to close out the regular season. Riley Patterson filled in for him in Week 17 and will likely do so again Sunday, while Hopkins will set his sights on trying to heal up in time for the wild-card round of the playoffs after making 33 of 36 field-goal attempts in the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Misses practice Thursday
Rotowire
Hopkins (hamstring) did not participate at the Browns' practice Thursday.
Hopkins remained sidelined Thursday, and he's yet to return to practice following the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 16 against the Texans. At this point, it seems like Riley Patterson will operate at Cleveland's starting kicker again in Week 18 versus Cincinnati.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Won't be available in Week 17
Rotowire
Hopkins (hamstring) is considered week-to-week and won't be available to play Thursday against the Jets, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
Cleveland signed Riley Patterson to its practice squad Monday and will likely elevate him to the roster for at least this week's game to handle kicking duties. Hopkins was unable to continue this past Sunday against the Texans after he appeared to suffer a hamstring injury during Dameon Pierce's 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Hopkins has been one of NFL's most productive kickers during his first season in Cleveland, converting 33 of 36 field-goal attempts (including a perfect 8-for-8 from 50-plus yards) and 24 or 26 extra-point tries over 15 games.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: No listed activity Monday
Rotowire
Hopkins (left hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Hopkins injured his left hamstring while attempting to tackle Texans running back Dameon Pierce on the latter's 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown early in the second quarter of Sunday's 36-22 win. He wasn't able to perform any of his typical placekicking duties thereafter, and coach Kevin Stefanski told Jake Trotter of ESPN.com after the game that Hopkins was in line for an MRI. The result of those tests haven't been revealed, but the Browns signed Riley Patterson to their practice squad Monday as insurance in the event Hopkins is unable to play Thursday versus the Jets.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Headed to Cleveland
Rotowire
The Browns signed Patterson to their practice squad Monday.
Patterson will head to Cleveland to provide an insurance option for Dustin Hopkins, who injured his hamstring during Sunday's win versus the Texans. Patterson converted on 15 of his 17 field-goal attempts in 13 games for the Lions this season and could start against the Jets on Thursday if Hopkins is unable to suit up.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Set to undergo MRI
Rotowire
Hopkins is slated to undergo an MRI on his hamstring, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Hopkins was forced out of Sunday's 36-22 win over the Texans with a hamstring injury after making two extra-point tries. Given the Browns' upcoming short week, the kicker's status for Thursday's game against the Jets could be in danger.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Won't return Sunday
Rotowire
Hopkins won't return to Sunday's game against the Texans after sustaining a hamstring injury, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports.
Prior to exiting Sunday's contest, Hopkins made both of his extra-point tries. Per Doc Louallen of the Browns' official site, the kicker injured his hamstring with 12:04 left in the second quarter after chasing Houston RB Dameon Pierce on a 98-yard kick return that resulted in a TD.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Makes both FGA
Rotowire
Hopkins converted both of his field-goal attempts in Sunday's 29-12 loss to the Broncos in Week 12.
Hopkins was perfect for a third consecutive week, calmly finishing off drives with kicks from 36 and 24 yards. Sunday's game was his seventh straight with multiple field goals made. The Browns offense has been spotty all season, particularly when backup quarterbacks are on the field, resulting in a league-leading 31 attempts in 2023. As such, Hopkins remains a legit fantasy kicker and is tied for the lead in placekicker points with 99.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Overcomes missed XP
Rotowire
Hopkins successfully converted four of four field-goal attempts and one of two extra-point kicks in Sundays' 33-31 win over the Ravens in Week 10.
As the Browns rallied in the second half, Hopkins missed extra-point loomed large, as the Ravens clung to a one-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. However, the placekicker made up for the miss with a 40-yard field goal as time expired to complete the comeback win. The missed extra point, his first of the season, could have hurt, but Hopkins has been vital to the team's success in 2023. Sunday's effort was the third time in the last five weeks he's made at least four field goals -- Cleveland's won all three of this game. For the season, Hopkins is 24-of-27 on field goals, including a perfect 7-of-7 from beyond the 50, and leads all kickers with 86 points.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Comes up big again
Rotowire
Hopkins converted all four field-goal attempts and three extra-point kicks in Sunday's 39-38 win over the Colts in Week 7.
Hopkins has been a key performer during Cleveland's two-game winning streak, accounting for a combined 28 points in victories over San Francisco and Indianapolis. On Sunday, he nailed kicks from 44, 54, 54 and a career-long 58 yards. He also set an NFL record with five consecutive games in which he's made a field goal from beyond the 50.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Perfect in win
Rotowire
Hopkins converted both field-goal attempts and all three extra-point kicks in Sunday's 27-3 win over the Titans in Week 3.
Hopkins was successful from 48 and 52 yards in the first half, helping the Browns build a 13-3 halftime lead. He's made both of his kicks from beyond the 50 this season and provided much-needed calm to the kicking game. Hopkins has converted seven of eight FGAs, with the lone miss coming from 43 yards last week.
... See More... See Less
Browns' Dustin Hopkins: Misses first kick
Rotowire
Hopkins converted two of three field-goal attempts and was not needed for extra-point kicks in Monday's 26-22 loss to the Steelers.
Hopkins' makes from 43 and 55 yards bookended a 43-yarder that went wide left. He lined up for an extra-point kick, but Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski opted for a two-point conversation after a Pittsburgh penalty. The Browns went for two points following their other touchdown. Hopkins has made five of six FGA and his lone XPA following the team's wild ride with Cade York.
