Cleveland Browns Report: Austin Hooper ruled out for Monday Night Football
By Nick Pedone
The Cleveland Browns won’t have Austin Hooper on Monday
Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper will be inactive for Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Hooper was added to the Browns injury report with a neck injury on Friday and did not practice. Consequently, he did not practice on Saturday and will be inactive for Monday night.
This season, the 26-year-old free agent signing, Hooper, has 30 catches for 286 yards and two touchdowns for the Browns.
In the absence of Hooper, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski could look back to rookie tight end Harrison Bryant, who experienced some fumbling issues a few weeks ago in Jacksonville. Bryant has 16 catches for 164 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie campaign.
Also, the Browns decided to keep David Njoku on the roster. Remember, Njoku has requested a few trades this season, but the Browns refused to honor that request. Now, Njoku is the veteran tight end on this roster. He has nine catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns.
The severity of Hooper’s neck injury is still unknown. However, Hooper being inactive does not help a decimated receiver group without Taywan Taylor and KhaDarel Hodge. Hooper’s pass-catching ability is always a threat and one that will be missed against Baltimore’s tenacious secondary that will look to shut down wide receiver Jarvis Landry. The Browns are aware of the thinness of their pass catchers, and have claimed and elevated Marvin Hall from waivers.
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After Monday Night Football, the Browns will hit the road again to face the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football next week.