Browns increase coverage at kicker
Placekicker Riley Patterson was added to the practice squad on Monday, giving the Cleveland Browns a small piece of insurance.
After kicker Dustin Hopkins hurt his hamstring trying to tackle returner Dameon Pierce during Sunday’s victory over the Houston Texans, what would typically be a small transaction relegated to the agate type (for those old enough to recognise the reference) takes on larger relevance.
With the New York Jets game on Thursday night approaching and Hopkins’ availability uncertain, Patterson’s addition ought to ease some anxiety in the coming days.
Since joining the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Patterson has participated in 37 games in his career. In his debut season, he played seven games for the Detroit Lions instead of staying with the Vikings.
In 2022, Patterson was a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He made 85.7 percent of his field goals, including a 53-yarder, and only missed one extra point out of 37 attempts. It’s a pleasant bonus that he kicked in both of Jacksonville’s playoff games, going perfect three-of-three on field goals and four-of-four on extra points.
This season, Patterson returned to Detroit and played in 13 games before being cut by the Lions on December 19. Before the Lions traded him, he was 15 of 17 on field goals (longest being 52 yards) and 35 of 37 on extra points. In Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Patterson also made the game-winning kick.
In total, Patterson has made 96.7 percent of his extra-point attempts and 87.9 percent of his field goals. But in his career, he has only attempted six field goals over 50 yards, and he has only made three of those tries, which is concerning because the Browns usually play close games because they know that Hopkins, who has made all eight of his efforts this season, would be available.
If needed, Patterson should be able to help the Browns defeat the Jets and Cincinnati Bengals while giving Hopkins time to recover for the crucial playoff games.
