Who Should I Start? Dustin Hopkins or Daniel Carlson

Thursday, January 11, 3:00 PM

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) has officially been ruled out for Saturday's wild-card playoff game against the Houston Texans after missing practice all week. Hopkins will miss his third straight game due to his hamstring injury. Riley Patterson, who has served as Cleveland's kicker the last two games with Hopkins out, will likely be elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster for Saturday's playoff contest. The 24-year-old was the Detroit Lions' primary kicker for 13 games this year before getting cut and latching on with the Browns. In 15 total games between both teams this year, he's gone 16-for-18 on field-goal tries and has miss three of his 44 extra-point attempts. Fantasy managers should be looking for better options at the position on wild-card weekend.

Sunday, December 10, 12:45 AM

Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson nailed both extra-point attempts and went one for two on his field goal attempts in Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders kicker was on the injury report earlier this week with an illness that caused him to miss practice on Thursday, but he logged a full practice on Friday. Carlson was removed from the injury report before their Week 14 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Playing at home will benefit Carlson as he won't have to deal with the weather factor. Carlson will be relied upon in what should be a close game on Sunday.