Browns place WR KhaDarel Hodge (hamstring) on injured reserve

The 3-1 Cleveland Browns will be without a potential emerging offensive weapon for at least the next three weeks. 

Cleveland confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge has been placed on injured reserve because of the hamstring injury he picked up before Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Hodge didn't play in Cleveland's thrilling 49-38 road win. 

Due to a rule for the 2020 season held amid the coronavirus pandemic, players on IR must miss a minimum of three games. Hodge, thus, won't play in matchups with the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals. 

The 25-year-old could return for the Nov. 1 home contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. 

While hardly a superstar in an offense that includes big names such as Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jarvis Landry, Hodge was targeted by Mayfield in each of Cleveland's first three games. He caught three of six passes for 51 yards before the injury. 

Hodge's absence could create additional opportunities for teammates such as tight end Austin Hooper and fellow receiver Rashard Higgins. Hooper, signed in free agency, was relatively quiet over his first three games with the Browns but caught five of seven passes for 34 yards and a touchdown against Dallas. 

Higgins, a fan favorite, was a healthy scratch the previous two games and, per RotoWire, played in only 21 snaps over the campaign's first two weeks. 

Rookie and sixth-round selection Donovan Peoples-Jones could also be elevated past just special-teams duties with Hodge sidelined.