CLEVELAND — When the Cleveland Browns took the practice field on Friday, Austin Hooper was noticeably absent.
As it turns out, the Browns' starting tight end won't be on the field when his team faces the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday either due to a case of appendicitis, Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed in a Zoom call with reporters following Friday's practice.
"He's having surgery today, having an appendectomy," Stefanski said. "He's in good spirits. So we're going to be without Austin this week."
The Associated Press confirmed this evening that Hooper's appendix was successfully removed. There is not yet a timetable for his return.
One of the team's most prized free agent acquisitions, the Browns signed Hooper to a four-year, $44 million contract, which at the time made him the highest-paid tight end in all of football.
A 2-time Pro Bowl selection in his four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Hooper has caught 22 passes for 205 yards and 1 touchdown in his first six games in Cleveland.
With Hooper out of the lineup, the Browns will primarily rely on rookie Harrison Bryant and 2017 first-round pick David Njoku at the tight end position. Stephen Carlson could also see increased playing time considering Stefanski's affinity for multiple tight end sets.
Hooper won't be the only starter missing from the Cleveland lineup on Sunday as guard Wyatt Teller will miss his second consecutive game after suffering a calf strain in the Browns' Week 5 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Linebacker Jacob Phillips has also been ruled out with a knee injury while safety Karl Joseph is questionable with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Bengals starting running back Joe Mixon has been ruled out of Sunday's contest with a foot injury.