TE David Njoku and K Dustin Hopkins are both inactive for Browns vs. Chiefs today

On By Littum

CLEVELAND, Ohio — David Njoku pushed it to the 11th hour but wasn’t healthy enough to face the Chiefs today.

In addition, kicker Dustin Hopkins will be off due to his slump, and Riley Patterson will kick in his place.

Njoku suffered a hamstring strain in the second quarter of last week’s 27-14 loss to the Steelers but finished the game. He sat out training all week, but had a hope that he might be able to play. Njoku acknowledged on Friday that the hamstring was tight but said he would not know about his availability until matchday.

Jordan Akins will start in his place, and Jameis Winston said Wednesday he has a good connection with Akins from working with him on the second team all offseason and during training camp. The Browns also have tight end Blake Whiteheart on the roster.

Njoku is second on the team with 56 catches and third with 439 yards. He leads the team with five touchdown catches. Slowed by a high ankle sprain earlier in the season, Njoku’s yards-per-catch is at a career-low 7.8 yards.

His absence is compounded by the fact that receiver Cedric Tillman has been ruled out with a concussion for the third straight game. The two players gave Winston big goals and created plenty of mismatches.

Left guard Joel Bitonio is active today despite a back injury from last week’s 27-14 loss to the Steelers that sidelined him Wednesday and Thursday. He was limited on Friday. Bitonio will help hold off Chiefs two-time first-team All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones.

As for Hopkins, he has missed 6 of his last 9 kicks, including two last week at Pittsburgh, and has dropped 16 of 25 on field goals for a career-low 64%. The good news is that he fixed a mechanical issue this week and had an excellent week of training. The Browns are still committed to Hopkins as their kicker for the future.

Patterson kicked for the Browns in their final three games last season, including the 45-14 playoff loss to the Texans. He replaced Hopkins in Week 17 after the veteran kicker pulled a hamstring trying to tackle a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Patterson made 6 of 7 extra points and his lone field goal attempt was a 33-yarder in the playoff win over the Jets.

WELL INACTIVE:

#2 QB Bailey Zappe (3QB)

#7 K Dustin Hopkins

#19 WR Cedric Tillman

#27 RB D’Onta Foreman

#35 CB Chigozie Anusiem

#85 TE David Njoku

#96 DE James Houston

EXPECTED LINEUP CHANGES

#88 Jordan Akins starts at TE

FLIPCARD CHANGES

Add #51 DT Mike Hall Jr (activated from injured reserve)

Add #26 CB Myles Harden (activated from injured back)

Promoted #11 WR James Proche II from the practice squad

Promoted #10 K Riley Patterson from practice squad to active roster

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