Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the media Monday afternoon as the Browns face a quick turnaround following their Week 11 loss to the Saints. Week 12 will start early for the Browns, as they host the Steelers on Thursday Night Football.
The Browns entered the fourth quarter of their game against the Saints tied at 14 before allowing three touchdowns in the final 15 minutes, falling 35-14. While Stefanski and the Browns will work to correct the mistakes that handed them their eighth loss of the season, with another game just days away, they will soon turn their attention to the Steelers.
"These Thursday night games don't allow you really to spend much time thinking about the previous one," Stefanski said. "You've got to get on the next opponent, understand what they're about as a team, offense, defense, special teams, all those things. And we need to lock in this week versus a division opponent. Obviously yesterday, like we talked about after the game, very disappointing. Disappointing to go into the fourth quarter with a chance and then not finish that game and we all share in it."
Stefanski expresses confidence in K Dustin Hopkins
K Dustin Hopkins, who set a Browns single season record with 33 made field goals in 2023, struggled in Week 11, missing each of his field goal tries – a 51-yard attempt and a 27-yard attempt.
Before the 27-yard attempt, Hopkins attempted a 32-yarder, which also missed the goal posts but was negated due to a defensive holding penalty on the field goal try.
When asked, Stefanski said he would not bring in another kicker to compete with Hopkins for the starting job.
"Certainly, we expect him to make those kicks. He expects himself to make those kicks. I've seen him make those kicks," Stefanski said. "He's been doing this for a very long time, but it's still technique and he's always going to be making sure that he's sharpening his technique, if you will, and he'll continue to do that for us."
On the season, Hopkins has made 14 of his 20 field goal attempts, with two of his misses coming within 49 yards. He has made 10 of his 12 extra point attempts.
Play-by-play action shots from the Cleveland Browns' Week 11 NFL game vs. the New Orleans Saints
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Elerson G. Smith (52) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
The offensive during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) and Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
T Dawand Jones to miss the remainder of the 2024 season
Outside of the loss, one of the biggest pieces of news coming out of Week 11 was that left tackle Dawand Jones would miss the remainder of the season after suffering a leg injury in the second quarter.
Stefanski said Monday that Jones suffered a fractured fibula, which would require surgery.
Jones started three games at left tackle and four at right tackle. While his game film was limited with only seven starts, Stefanski said that the experience he gained both in games and during practice will help the Browns evaluate his future on either side of the offensive line.
"I think it's an imperfect thing, obviously, when you're talking about that type of sample size, but we've had plenty of practices there, we have game reps there. So, it certainly allows you to, at the end of the season, say, 'Okay, this is what he did on the right side. This is what he did on the left side,'" Stefanski said.
Browns T Jedrick Wills Jr., who has made four starts at left tackle this season and appeared in five games, could be available Thursday to start at left tackle against the Steelers. Stefanski said the team will evaluate his health as the week goes on before making that decision.
Wills, who missed the remainder of the 2023 season after suffering a knee injury in Week 9, returned to action in Week 3 of the 2024 season against the New York Giants. He missed the Browns' Week 8 game against the Ravens and played just five snaps in Week 9 against the Chargers after being listed as a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday of that week with a knee injury. On the Friday before Week 11 against the Saints, he was a full participant before being downgraded to out on Saturday.
"We'll work through that this week to see if Jed can make it to Thursday night," Stefanski said. "Still feeling that injury, so just felt like it was best to get him some more treatment on that over the weekend."
Other injury updates
Stefanski provided a few other injury updates and ruled out one player for Thursday night's game.
TE Geoff Swaim sustained a concussion in the Browns' loss to the Saints and is in the NFL's concussion protocol. He will be out against the Steelers in Week 12.
CB Denzel Ward, who had an interception, a forced fumble and subsequent fumble recovery in Week 11 against the Saints, is day-to-day with rib and ankle injuries. Fellow CB Greg Newsome II is also considered day-to-day with a shoulder injury.
The Browns are not practicing Monday, Nov. 18 but will return to the practice field Tuesday, Nov. 19 in anticipation of their Week 12 game against the Steelers. Stefanski said he will have more updates regarding injured Browns as the week continues.
