The Cleveland Browns could be without tight end Austin Hooper for possibly the next two games. The Stanford University product underwent a rather bizarre surgery on his appendix in order to deal with his appendicitis on Friday, which will see him out against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5 along with the possibility of missing Week 6 against the Las Vegas Raiders as well.
#Browns TE Austin Hooper underwent surgery for appendicitis today and is out Sunday vs the #Bengals. There is also a chance he could miss the following game against the #Raiders, too.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2020
Hooper has played in at least 70 percent of snaps through Week 6. With that, the Browns will have to look at alternative options against the Bengals as they'll surely be without their two-time Pro Bowler. Hooper finished his latest contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers catching five of his six targets for 52 yards. He's third on the team in receiving yards behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. He's also tied with Landry for second most targets throughout the season with 33.
The Browns will be going against a Bengals squad that'll be hobbled in the backfield after learning that they'd be without halfback Joe Mixon due to a foot injury, which can even the playing field. Cleveland's 4-2 record doesn't tell the story of the many underlying rifts that are occurring within their organization at the moment.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has been on the hot seat after underperforming and now looks to play through a chest injury that hindered him in Week 6. Beckham has often shown his frustrations with the team's play, especially after a blowout loss to the Steelers that resulted in final score of 38-7.
While Hooper may not be the sole receptor in the passing game, his absence could lead to possibly another loss if they can't sustain momentum against a lowly Bengals club.
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