4 biggest surprises from the Browns’ 11-win 2023 campaign

Who caught our eye this year and exceeded expectations?

The Cleveland Browns were pleasantly surprised by the performances of quarterback Joe Flacco, kicker Dustin Hopkins, and offensive tackle Dawand Jones this year en route to an 11-win season.

While the season did not end the way the Browns would have dreamt it up, losing to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round, they over-achieved this season given that 26 percent of their starting lineup ended up on Injured Reserve this season. They took a true “next man up” mentality into the season and showed a tremendous amount of resilience to grind out tough wins.

This would not have been possible without players stepping up, players we might not have imagined would step up when their number was called. Rookies had to start, quarterbacks were signed off the couch, and kickers were traded for right at the end of training camp.

Here are four players who stood out the most and exceeded expectations for the Browns this season.

Kinnan’s All-Pro teams: How many Browns players make the cut?

Just one man’s list of All-Pros.

The regular season has come to an end for the Cleveland Browns, and defensive end Myles Garrett, kicker Dustin Hopkins, and others have the potential to receive NFL honors after their 2023 campaigns.

As the Browns get set for their Wild Card matchup against the Houston Texans and a potential deep run in the playoffs, it has come to fruition because of a plethora of these individual performers. We already know they have five Pro Bowlers on the roster, with six more named as alternates, but how many will translate into All-Pro nods?

Garrett is likely a lock, but can tight end David Njoku make the cut? What about guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller?

Everyone else is taking their run at forming their All-Pro teams, so why can’t I as well before the playoff fun begins? Here is my list of All-Pros from the 2023 season. There are first-teamers, second-teamers, and honorable mentions.

Enjoy!

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Stefanski: K Dustin Hopkins likely out for Browns vs. Texans

The Browns will likely be without their starting kicker again

As the Cleveland Browns prepare to take on the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon, they will likely do so without their starting kicker Dustin Hopkins.

According to head coach Kevin Stefanski, Hopkins is unlikely to kick for the Browns as they travel to Houston this weekend. This means that practice squad Riley Patterson will once again assume the kicking duties for the Browns on Saturday.

Perhaps an advantage for Patterson and the Browns, they will be playing indoors where there will be no outside elements to tinker with his kicks. Going forward should the Browns win, however, the rest of their games would take place outdoors. It will be crucial to get Hopkins back for these games as they hope to make a run at a Super Bowl.

In relief of the Pro Bowl alternate in two games this season, Patterson has gone one-of-one on field goals, and six-of-seven on extra points.

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Browns Injury Report: Breaking down the final injury report before Bengals game

Let’s dive into the final injury report of this Week 18 matchup that has absolutely zero implications.

With one day until the Cleveland Browns take on the Cincinnati Bengals, they will do so without many key players. Those players include Defensive Player of the Year favorite Myles Garrett, wide receiver Amari Cooper, and kicker Dustin Hopkins.

Quarterback Joe Flacco is also not going to play in this game as head coach Kevin Stefanski has also opted to rest other starters. Jeff Driskel, signed off of the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad last week, will start against this former team.

Sitting at 11-5 on the season, the Browns will become the first team to start five different quarterbacks in the same season in 35 years. Can they find a way to scratch and claw to a 12th win on the season for the first time since 1948?

With just one day until gameday, here is every Browns player who was either limited or did not practice on Friday. Included is every player with a gameday injury designation as well.

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Browns have numerous players raking in fan Pro Bowl votes as roster announcement looms

How many Pro Bowlers will the Browns have?

Fan voting for the 2023 Pro Bowl will account for one-third of the overall voting concluded on Christmas Day. The Cleveland Browns, headlined by Myles Garrett and Dustin Hopkins, had numerous players in the top-10 of their respective positions.

Coaches and players will make up the other two-thirds of the voting as the rosters are set to be announced on January 3rd at 8 pm on NFL Network.

After the fan voting, 11 different Browns players find themselves in the top 10 of their respected positions with several having a chance to make their first appearance on a Pro Bowl roster. It is no surprise that for the Browns, several players are on the defense as three defensive backs find themselves on these lists.

Martin Emerson Jr. and Grant Delpit should find themselves on their first Pro Bowl roster as both have had breakout seasons. Myles Garrett seems like a lock to receive the honors again as he pushes for a Defensive Player of the Year award. Below are the Browns that rank in the Top 10 of their position ahead of the official announcement tonight.

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Browns Injury Report: Corey Bojorquez doesn’t practice, Dustin Hopkins out vs. Jets

The Browns will likely be without both special teamers

With just two weeks until the end of the regular season, the Cleveland Browns are looking to clinch their spot in the playoffs for the first time against the New York Jets on Thursday night. However, they have had to make contingency plans for both kicker Dustin Hopkins and punter Corey Bojorquez.

Hopkins has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury, leading to the signing of Riley Patterson to the practice squad. Now today, the Browns have added another punter to their practice squad in Matt Haack as it looks like Bojorquez will not be able to go on a short week either.

These two were not the only two to appear on Cleveland’s injury report on Tuesday, however, with just one practice until the Jets come to town. Here is every player who was either limited or did not practice on Tuesday as the Browns look to claim their spot in the playoffs.

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Browns Injury Report: Dustin Hopkins, Corey Bojorquez both in danger of missing vs. Jets

As the Browns get prepared to take on the Jets, they may be without both special teamers

The Cleveland Browns are looking to clinch their first playoff berth in three years against the New York Jets on Thursday night. However, after both special teamers left the win over the Houston Texans with injuries, kicker Dustin Hopkins and punter Corey Bojorquez are in danger of missing this game.

Forced to go for it on every fourth down and attempt two-point conversions after every touchdown, the Browns did not have a backup plan after Hopkins went down with an injury. They have signed kicker Riley Patterson to their practice squad to give themselves a fallback plan in case Hopkins cannot go.

Safety D’Anthony Bell even had to take over kickoff duties after Bojorquez exited the game as well. Perhaps a positive sign, howe[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]ver, the Browns have not added another punter this week.

While the Browns did not practice today, they still are required to release an estimated injury report three days before game day. Turning around to take on the Jets on a short week, here is every player who was estimated to have been out or limited in practice.

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Browns add backup plan at kicker, sign Riley Patterson to practice squad

The Browns have added their backup plan at kicker in case Dustin Hopkins cannot go

After the injury to kicker Dustin Hopkins in the win against the Houston Texans, the Cleveland Browns have added their backup plan. With two weeks to go and a pathway to the top seed in the AFC still on the table, the Browns have added Riley Patterson to their practice squad in case Hopkins cannot go.

Hopkins is set for an MRI this week after suffering a hamstring injury, but the Browns do not have an update at this time. Even if Hopkins can give it a go on Thursday night, which seems unlikely on a short week, expect Patterson to be a gameday elevation regardless.

Patterson has appeared in 37 total games over his three-year career. He was the starting kicker for the Detroit Lions for the first 13 games of this season. Patterson has made 88 percent of his field goals and 97 percent of his extra points over his career.

Hopefully, the Browns will get Hopkins back on the field as they make a run at a Super Bowl, but after having no fallback on Sunday, the Browns now have a contingency plan.

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Browns Injury Alert: K Dustin Hopkins questionable to return vs. Texans

Cleveland Browns’ star kicker Dustin Hopkins exited the game versus the Houston Texans with a hamstring injury.

Cleveland Browns star kicker Dustin Hopkins visited the medical tent during the second quarter. Hopkins injured his hamstring while chasing Dameon Pierce on the touchdown return for the Houston Texans. When Hopkins emerged from the medical tent, he consulted with special teams’ coach Bubba Ventrone near the kicking net. He is questionable to return as the Browns lead 22-7. The Browns’ punter Corey Bojorquez is the backup kicker.

The injury happened at an awful time for the player and the team. Hopkins is a handful of points away from becoming the Browns’ single-season scoring leader. Hopkins is in a serious battle to be named the Pro Bowl kicker for the AFC.

Meanwhile, the Browns cannot go a week without a major injury to a key contributor. The team is playing multiple backup players at important positions right before the playoffs begin. The Browns need to get healthy to have a shot at the Super Bowl this season. Hopefully, Hopkins can heal up quickly. His ability to remain cool in the face of pressure has turned him into a clutch kicker and a fan favorite.

The Browns scored a touchdown and opted to go for the two-point conversion if that is any indication of Hopkins’ status.

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Browns Studs and Duds: Who shined brightest in the win against the Jaguars?

The Cleveland Browns found help among their reinforcements to defeat the Jaguars, led by David Njoku and Martin Emerson Jr.

The Cleveland Browns beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in a messy fistfight. Neither team could hold onto the ball. However, the Browns fought through their mistakes as they clinched a gritty win as they were led by tight end David Njoku and cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. The Browns game felt more like an execution as they lost multiple starters. Credit to the team: the backups filled their roles without losing a beat.

Defensive backs Ronnie Hickman, Cameron Mitchell, and D’Anthony Bell did a great job of filling in for Juan Thornhill, Grant Delpit, and Denzel Ward. Starting fullback Nick Harris did an outstanding job stepping in for Ethan Pocic. Harris looked better as a pulling lineman than as a fullback. The Browns have suffered various injuries this season, but the replacements have been ready to play. Sunday showed that struggle happened once again.

The Browns starters had great games with uncharacteristic mistakes. Amari Cooper fumbled the ball after a heroic effort by a defender. Joe Flacco threw a horrible interception that killed a Browns’ drive. Both players were able to steady their performance and help the team secure the win.

Here are the Studs and Duds in the Browns’ victory against the Jaguars. 

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