The struggles of Washington Football Team kicker Dustin Hopkins reared its ugly head in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens. Hopkins missed badly on a 55-yard field goal attempt.
The kick was so low it was unclear if it was blocked by the Ravens or just an awful kick. A group of Washington reporters differed on if the kick was blocked on or not.
After having struggles during last season, Hopkins’ shakiness carried over into this year’s preseason. He missed his first two attempts in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. While he made 3-of-3 against the Cincinnati Bengals the next week, none were over 34 yards.
Given the opportunity to knock down a long field goal Saturday, Hopkins didn’t deliver. Even he was unsure if the kick was blocked.
Unlike the previous two misses back in New England, Hopkins took the blame for the missed 55-yard kick.
He finished the preseason 4-of-7 on field goal attempts. His longest make was from 48 yards. However, it was the only kick he made over 34 yards. He was 1-of-4 on attempts 40-yards or more. That actually falls in line with how he was in 2020.
Hopkins made a career-low 79.4% of his field goals. Six of his seven misses were from 40 or more yards.
Washington head coach Ron Rivera has dismissed Hopkins’ struggles for the most part. As it appears, there won’t be another kicker brought in to challenge or unseat Hopkins. Thus, Washington is prepared to live or die with Hopkins at kicker.
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