Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that he continues to view Hopkins as the Browns' kicker, but the team "will work through" evaluating the position this week heading into Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Hopkins missed two field-goal attempts during Cleveland's 27-14 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 14, and across 13 appearances this season, he's converted just 16 of 25 attempts. The veteran's 64 percent conversion rate stands as the worst mark of his career by a significant margin. The Browns signed kicker Riley Patterson to the practice squad on Tuesday, an indication that continued struggles on Hopkins' part could lead to a changing of the guard.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Dustin Hopkins news
Team
Cleveland Browns
Birthdate
10/1/1990 (34)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'2", 210 lbs
Draft Info
2013: Rd 6; Pk (BUF)
Birthplace
Austin, TX, USA
Position
K
College
Florida State
Experience
11 seasons
Career History
Cleveland Browns
2023-Present
(2 seasons)
Los Angeles Chargers
2021-2023
(3 seasons)
Washington Commanders
2015-2021
(7 seasons)
New Orleans Saints
2015-2015
(1 season)
Buffalo Bills
2013-2014
(1 season)
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that he continues to view Hopkins as the Browns' kicker, but the team "will work through" evaluating the position this week heading into Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Hopkins missed two field-goal attempts during Cleveland's 27-14 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 14, and across 13 appearances this season, he's converted just 16 of 25 attempts. The veteran's 64 percent conversion rate stands as the worst mark of his career by a significant margin. The Browns signed kicker Riley Patterson to the practice squad on Tuesday, an indication that continued struggles on Hopkins' part could lead to a changing of the guard.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Hopkins remains the team's kicker, Kelsey Russo of the Browns' official site reports. Hopkins, who missed two field goals during Sunday's 27-14 loss to Pittsburgh, is fighting a slump this season. He's converted just 16 of 25 attempts. At this point, with Cleveland eliminated from the postseason, another kicker isn't going to solve the team's many issues, but it's likely there will be a competition next summer.
Hopkins misfired on both field-goal attempts and converted two extra-point kicks in Sunday's 27-14 loss to the Steelers in Week 14. Hopkins missed wide left on a 38-yarder just before halftime and wasn't close on a 43-yarder he pushed on the first drive coming out of the break. If converted, those two field goals would have tied the game at 13-13. The Browns were in position to add another field goal in the fourth quarter, but coach Kevin Stefanski opted to punt, down 27-7 at the time, from the Steelers' 39-yard line. Hopkins has missed kicks in four of the last five games, going 3-for-9 during that stretch. There will most certainly be a competition next summer for the placekicking job.
Hopkins converted one of two field-goal attempts and all three extra-point kicks in Monday's 41-32 loss to the Broncos in Week 13. Hopkins missed from 47 yards out on Cleveland's opening drive and connected from 45 yards in the second quarter. The six-point night was the most in four games for Hopkins. The placekicker's 70-percent accuracy rate (16-of-23) on field goals is the least of the Browns' issues, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the team bring in competition next summer.
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.
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 Hopkins miss from 27 yards. He never had a chance to kick an extra point, as Cleveland opted to go for two points following both touchdowns. The Browns may be having 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.
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.
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.
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.