Who Should I Start? Dustin Hopkins or Eddy Pineiro

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, January 7, 11:42 AM

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro (hamstring) is officially inactive for Week 18 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This news was widely expected after the Panthers listed him as doubtful heading into the weekend. The 28-year-old had appeared in Carolina's previous 16 games this season, converting 86 percent of his field goals. This week, he'll be replaced by Matthew Wright, who remains off the fantasy radar given the Panthers' ongoing offensive struggles.