DeAndre Hopkins And The Cardinals
As we enter Week Four of the NFL season, DeAndre Hopkins is over halfway through his suspension for breaking league policies on performance-enhancing drugs. But what actually happened?
DeAndre Hopkins is the star wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, and over the years has proven time and time again why he is rated as one of the best receivers in the NFL. But unfortunately for the Cardinals, they have so far had to try and navigate the opening three matches without Hopkins, and it’s safe to say, they have struggled. The Cardinals have lost two of their opening three matchups so far, with their only win coming in the final seconds in a bizarre game with the Las Vegas Raiders.
What Happened With Hopkins?
In May 2022 prior to the season starting, it was announced that DeAndre Hopkins was to be suspended by the league, due to violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. According to the league, he tested positive for performance enhancing drugs as traces of Ostarine were found in his sample.
Throughout, Hopkins has denied any wrongdoing and claims he has never taken any such substance or performance enhancing drug. He claims that the 0.1 percent level of Ostarine found must be from a contamination in food as he doesn’t take anything, barely even taking vitamins as he tries to keep his body clean and free from supplements as possible.
Cardinals Without Hopkins
Following the league’s decision, Hopkins was given a six-game suspension from the start of the 2022 NFL season. He is unable to play until Week Seven, when the Cardinals take on the New Orleans Saints on 20 October. The Cardinals will be hoping to still be in the mix of making the playoffs when he is scheduled to return, as they have struggled for any consistency on offence through the first three matches without their lead receiver.
Until the return of Hopkins, the Cardinals have been relying heavily on new wide receiver, Marquise Brown. Following Brown’s trade from the Baltimore Ravens to the Cardinals, he has recorded 251 yards and a touchdown through three games. The Cardinals and Brown I think would have hoped for more touchdowns but with the whole offence being of their game currently, everyone is hoping things will improve going into week four and take their second victory of the season, bringing them to 2-2.
Last season, Hopkins played only ten games for the Cardinals, ending the season with 42 receptions for 572 yards and eight touchdowns. He ended up missing a number of games last season following the wide receiver suffering an MCL injury. This injury ruled him out for a number of weeks, which had an impact not only on his season stats, but for the Cardinals also.
The Cardinals will be hoping that Hopkins won’t take long to get up to speed on his week seven return from suspension. And hopefully with the receiver core of he and Brown, the Cardinals can fly higher in the tail end of the season and secure a playoff spot. And who knows, maybe even more!
Comments