Browns won’t have Austin Hooper vs Bengals after appendectomy

Austin Hooper will not play against the Bengals this week.

The Cleveland Browns went into last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with tons of momentum, but their division rivals absolutely bludgeoned them. Baker Mayfield looked said disk in the pocket all day, and he was taken out of the game early due to an injury and his own poor performance. Things could get easier against the Cincinnati Bengals, but they will have to try to get back in the win column without the services of tight end Austin Hooper.

ProFootballTalk is reporting that Hooper underwent an emergency appendectomy, meaning that he is not going to play in Week 7 against the Bengals. Losing a starting tight end isn’t optimal for an offense that is already playing without their starting running back in Nick Chubb.

Austin Hooper hasn’t played at the same level he did in Atlanta to this point

Hooper made two straight Pro Bowls with the Atlanta Falcons, emerging as one of the best receiving tight ends in the league. However, when he took the money and went to Cleveland, he accepted a role as the No. 3 receiving option on a team that doesn’t throw the ball frequently. Hooper has 22 catches for 205 yards this season.

David Njoku, who has been the subject of trade rumors of the last few days, might see an increase in snaps, as will 2020 fourth-round pick Harrison Bryant, who made his mark in college as an excellent receiver. Against a laughable Bengals defense, both of them could have their best games of the season.

In addition to Mayfield and Hooper, Jarvis Landry is also dealing with a rib injury. The Browns will still be favored against the Bengals, but they won’t be playing with their A-team out there on Sunday.