In a disappointing turn of events, the Cleveland Browns will once again be without the services of kicker Dustin Hopkins this week. Hopkins, who has been sidelined for the past two games due to a hamstring injury, is unlikely to make a return to the lineup for Saturday's game against the Houston Texans.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed the news to reporters on Tuesday, stating that Hopkins' recovery progress has not been sufficient for him to participate in the upcoming game. This will be a blow to the Browns, who have relied on Riley Patterson to handle the kicking duties in Hopkins' absence.

Patterson, a newcomer to the team, has performed admirably in the past two weeks, successfully converting his only field goal attempt and 6 out of 7 extra point attempts. With Hopkins still out, Patterson will once again shoulder the kicking responsibilities when the Browns face off against the Texans.

While the news regarding Hopkins is certainly disappointing for Browns fans, there is a glimmer of hope on the injury front. Coach Stefanski provided a more positive update, stating that safety Grant Delpit could potentially make his return from the injured reserve list in time for the Texans game. Delpit's potential return would be a boost to the Browns' defense, offering more depth and experience in the secondary.

As the Browns prepare for their upcoming matchup, they will continue to monitor Hopkins' progress and make a decision on his availability closer to game day. In the meantime, all eyes will be on Patterson as he aims to continue his solid kicking performance in the absence of the team's regular kicker.

The Browns will look to secure a victory against the Texans to bolster their playoff hopes, and the absence of Hopkins only adds another layer of challenge to their task. Nevertheless, with Patterson's steady leg and the potential return of Delpit, the team remains determined to overcome these obstacles and emerge victorious on Saturday.