Njoku is second on the team with 56 catches and third with 439 yards. He leads the team with five touchdown catches. Due to a high ankle sprain earlier in the season, Njoku’s yards per catch is at the lowest level of his career at 7.8 yards.

His absence is made worse by the fact that receiver Cedric Tillman is out for the third straight game with a concussion. The two players gave Winston great targets to attack and caused numerous disagreements.

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

As for Hopkins, he has missed six of his last nine shots, including two last week in Pittsburgh, and has fallen to 16 of 25 field goals, a career-low 64%. The good news is that he corrected a mechanical error this week and had an excellent week of training. The Browns remain confident that Hopkins is their kicker of the future.

Patterson played in the final three games of last season for the Browns, including the 45-14 playoff loss to the Texans. He replaced Hopkins in Week 17 after the veteran kicker suffered a hamstring strain while attempting to make a tackle for a touchdown on a 98-yard kickoff return.

Patterson made 6 of 7 extra points and his only field goal attempts were a 33-yarder in the decisive playoff victory over the Jets.

BROWNS INACTIVE:

#2 QB Bailey Zappe (3QB)

#7K Dustin Hopkins

#19 WR Cedric Tillman

#27 RB D’Onta Foreman

#35 CB Chigozie Anusiem

#85 TE David Njoku

#96 DE James Houston

EXPECTED ORDER 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 by injured reverse)

#11 WR James Proche II signed from practice squad

#10 K Riley Patterson was promoted from practice squad to active roster