The Cleveland Browns find themselves in a pickle with kicker Dustin Hopkins but may have worked out a temporary solution with just one month left in their disappointing 2024 campaign.
Despite receiving a new contract extension this offseason, Hopkins has regressed into the worst kicker in the NFL this season. After missing five of his last seven kicks in the last four weeks, the Browns decided to sign Riley Patterson to the practice squad and elevate him for their Week 15 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Patterson joined the Browns down the stretch last season too when Hopkins went down with a hamstring injury.
The Browns would not elevate Patterson without another intention in mind. Cutting Hopkins, given his contract constraints, is not an option. However, making him a healthy scratch over the last four games before finding a way to dump his salary in the offseason is.
With the elevation of Patterson, look for Hopkins to be among the players the Browns list as inactive when they take on the Chiefs at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday. Expect Patterson to kick.