DeAndre Hopkins is one of the more respected wide receivers in the NFL today. With a resume that speaks for itself, Hopkins commands attention anytime he steps onto the field. However, due to an injury he suffered in practice this week, we may have to wait a little while before seeing him out there again.
What Happened to DeAndre Hopkins?
While any injury is bad, training camp injuries have to be the worst. With the NFL back in action, we have seen a number of players across the league fall victim to an injury that will cost them time leading up to the season.
Such is the case for Tennessee Titans star wide receiver Hopkins, who will miss four to six weeks with a knee sprain he suffered this week, according to Paul Kuharsky.
Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan later confirmed that the veteran pass catcher will miss “several weeks” with his knee injury, though he did say it would not require surgery
Titans coach Brian Callahan confirms that DeAndre Hopkins will be out for “several weeks” with his knee injury. Won’t require surgery
— Ben Arthur 🇬🇭 (@benyarthur) August 3, 2024
If he is on the short side of that timeframe, he will be back with a week to prepare for Week 1 action. However, if it is six weeks, Hopkins would potentially miss their first game of the season with a chance to miss the second contest as well.
It’s a tough blow to a Titans offense that features new weapons in Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, as the team looks to build around its young quarterback, Will Levis.
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Hopkins led the team in receptions (75) and yards (1,057) in 2023, and despite the new additions, his absence would undoubtedly be felt.
With Hopkins now on the sideline, 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks will be the next man up as he tries to get his NFL career on the right track after a slow start.
Should Fantasy Managers Be Concerned About Hopkins?
While the Titans have a bunch of new weapons throughout their offense, Hopkins has been the man leading the way in Tennessee. With his latest injury, he is still a viable option, but according to Pro Football Network Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe, you may want to look around the offense to find additional help as well.
“Hopkins is entering his age-32 season, and while he appeared in every game a season ago, he did miss 15 games over the two years prior, and Father Time looms not only in availability but also in productivity. In 2023, Hopkins produced 4.8% below expectation on where his targets came on the field, his worst showing since 2016.
“Theoretically, this puts more food on Calvin Ridley’s plate, but he’s firmly in a ‘need to prove it before we buy it’ situation with fantasy managers after he produced just 1.58 yards per route last season in a more advantageous passing game. That rate represents a 23.3% drop off from his career rate prior to 2023 and is a significant red flag as he enters an offense led by an unproven Will Levis.
“Tennessee made it clear this offseason that they wanted to open up their offense — something that may not be possible if Hopkins were to miss time. The Tony Pollard/Tyjae Spears committee is one that is difficult to handicap in early August, but both have the potential to be flex candidates despite not being selected in the top 75 overall players.
“The running backs are the most interesting position in this offense, but if you leave a draft without a Titan (regardless of Hopkins’ status), you’re not in bad shape.”
While this isn’t an ideal situation for any fantasy owner who has stock in Hopkins, at least there several options to look at on the Titans’ offense to help fill the gaps if he were to miss time.