Tag: Hopkins

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) scores a touchdown past Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (21) and safety Xavier McKinney (29) during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.

Chiefs welcome WR DeAndre Hopkins

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is in a rush to get acclimated to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hopkins’ acquisition from the Tennessee Titans became official Thursday with the Chiefs parting with a conditional fifth-round draft pick to land the 32-year-old. NFL Network reported the compensation would become a fourth-round selection if Kansas City reaches the Super Bowl and Hopkins plays 60 percent of the snaps in the Chiefs’ final 11 regular-season games.

The Chiefs are all hands on deck at wide receiver these days due to injuries. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (shoulder) and Rashee Rice (right knee) are on IR and JuJu Smith-Schuster aggravated a hamstring injury in Kansas City’s 28-18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Smith-Schuster already has been ruled out for the Chiefs (6-0) ahead of this Sunday’s game against the host Las Vegas Raiders (2-5).

Hopkins has 15 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown in six games (three starts) for the Titans this season.

Adding to the offensive arsenal on the fly is nothing new for quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is sharing the backfield with recently re-signed Kareem Hunt with Isiah Pacheco (leg) on injured reserve. The Chiefs acquired wide receivers at midseason the past two years, landing Kadarius Toney from the Giants in 2022 and Mecole Hardman from the Jets last fall.

Hopkins brings a minuscule drop rate — under 4 percent — and a penchant for coming down with passes in jump-ball situations. Those factors could show up quickly for an offense uncharacteristically punchless in the red zone before getting four touchdowns in five trips inside the 49ers’ 20 last week.

“Yeah, I think in my time, we’ve had receivers that can make some of those contested catches, and once you build that relationship and build that trust, you put him up there and let guys go out there and make plays,” Mahomes said. “I think that’s what’s special about coach (Andy) Reid’s offense: It adapts to whoever’s in there. He has different ways he can utilize your strengths. And then it’s my job to go out there and put guys in chances, give them chances to go out there and make plays.”

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Hopkins led the Titans in catches (75), receiving yards (1,057) and receiving touchdowns (seven) in 17 games (16 starts) last season.

Hopkins has 943 career receptions for 12,528 yards and 79 touchdowns in 168 games (164 starts) for the Houston Texans (2013-19), Arizona Cardinals (2020-22) and Titans.

The Texans selected him 27th overall in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Clemson.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) disputes a call with side judge Keith Washington (7) in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Sports

Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) to play vs. Chargers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is listed as active for Sunday’s game against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers in Nashville, Tenn.

Hopkins did not practice all week due to the ankle injury he sustained on the last offensive play for the Titans in their 16-15 loss to the New Orleans Saints last Sunday.

Hopkins, 31, had seven catches for 65 yards in the season opener.

A three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection, Hopkins has 860 catches for 11,363 yards and 71 touchdowns in 146 games (all starts) with the Houston Texans (2013-19), Arizona Cardinals (2020-22) and Titans.

While Hopkins is active for the Titans, the team listed the following players as inactive: safety Amani Hooker, cornerback Kristian Fulton, guard Peter Skoronski, wide receiver Colton Dowell, linebackers Caleb Murphy and Trevis Gipson, and quarterback Will Levis.

As for the Chargers (0-1), they ruled out star running back Austin Ekeler on Saturday. On Sunday, Los Angeles listed linebackers Eric Kendricks, Chris Rumph and Daiyan Henley as well as offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes, defensive lineman Christopher Hinton and safety A.J. Finley as inactive.

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Peter Skoronski (77) puts on his helmet before an NFL football training camp practice Tuesday, August 1, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.

Titans rule out G Peter Skoronski (illness) vs. Chargers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans guard Peter Skoronski was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to illness.

Skoronski was added to the team’s injury report on Friday after he missed practice due to the illness. He was initially listed as questionable.

Skoronski was a first-round pick (11th overall) in April’s draft out of Northwestern.

Either Xavier Newman or Dillon Radunz will step in for Skoronski.

Cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring) and safety Amani Hooker (concussion) will also miss the game for Tennessee.

Receiver DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) is questionable and is considered a game-day decision. He didn’t practice at all this week.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 27, 2022.

Reports: Chiefs, Pats, Titans pursuing DeAndre Hopkins

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DeAndre Hopkins remains unemployed six weeks after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals, but the market for the former All-Pro wide receiver could be heating up.

ESPN reported the Kansas City Chiefs are kicking the tires on a Hopkins deal, which follows previous visits to the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans.

Hopkins was released on May 26, after the Cardinals were reportedly unable to find a trade partner for the 31-year-old, who skipped the start of voluntary organized team activities.

Hopkins had two years and $34.36 million in base pay left on his contract.

The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens were rumored to be interested in Hopkins, but he hasn’t met with either team.

With the move, the rebuilding Cardinals cleared $8.15 million in salary cap space but will carry a dead cap hit of $22.6 million in 2023.

A three-time All-Pro, Hopkins recorded 221 receptions for 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns in three seasons in Arizona. A first-round pick in 2013, Hopkins spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Houston Texans before he was traded to Arizona by then head coach and acting GM Bill O’Brien. O’Brien is currently the offensive coordinator of the Patriots.

Hopkins had 64 catches for 717 yards with three touchdowns during a 2022 season in which he missed the first six games while serving a suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. He sat out the final two games with a knee injury.

The Cardinals’ top wide receivers are Marquise Brown, Greg Dortch and Rondale Moore.

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates after a catch against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 6, 2022.

DeAndre Hopkins Next Team Odds: AFC rivals emerge as favorites

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Could the balance of power in the AFC hang in the balance with where DeAndre Hopkins signs?

Shortly after Hopkins was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Friday, the Dallas Cowboys were installed as the +300 favorite by SportsBetting.ag to land the 30-year-old wide receiver. However, the odds had shifted by Saturday in favor of the Buffalo Bills at +200, followed by AFC rival Kansas City at +400 and Dallas at +500.

Both Buffalo and Kansas City held “substantive” talks with Arizona about a trade, according to SI.com, but the $15 million the Baltimore Ravens gave Odell Beckham Jr. on a one-year deal threw a wrench into the financial equation.

The Cardinals were ultimately unable to find a trade partner for Hopkins, so the team opted to take a dead cap hit of $22.6 million while clearing $8.15 million in salary cap space.

That also left one of the league’s elite wide receivers free to sign with any of the other 31 teams. The New England Patriots (+700) and Ravens (+800) are also expected to be in the mix. Both teams were rumored to be interested in acquiring Hopkins around the NFL draft, but the cost of doing so was prohibitive.

A three-time All-Pro who will turn 31 on June 6, Hopkins recorded 221 receptions for 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns in his three seasons in Arizona.

Hopkins had 64 catches for 717 yards with three touchdowns during a 2022 season in which he missed the first six games while serving a suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. He sat out the final two games with a knee injury.

The Bills have a strong tandem in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, but very little proven depth behind them. They drafted Justin Shorter in the fifth round and the depth chart currently includes the likes of Deonte Harty, Trent Sherfield and Khalil Shakir.

The Chiefs likewise could prove a good fit for Hopkins. They do have Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, but last year’s leading wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster signed with the Patriots after catching 78 passes for 933 yards in 2023.

DeAndre Hopkins Next Team Odds
Buffalo Bills (+200)
Kansas City Chiefs (+400)
Dallas Cowboys (+500)
New England Patriots (+700)
Baltimore Ravens (+800)
Carolina Panthers (+800)
New York Giants (+900)
Philadelphia Eagles (+900)
Detroit Lions (+1000)
Chicago Bears (+1200)
New York Jets (+1400)
Cleveland Browns (+2000)
Los Angeles Chargers (+2200)
Jacksonville Jaguars (+2500)
Las Vegas Raiders (+2500)
Green Bay Packers (+3300)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3300)

–Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 27, 2022. Syndication Arizona Republic

Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins skipping OTAs, future TBD

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DeAndre Hopkins skipped the start of voluntary OTAs with the Arizona Cardinals but he cautioned not to read too much into the decision.

The future of the Cardinals No. 1 wide receiver has been the subject of much debate since the end of the 2022 season. But Hopkins, appearing on the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast with Brandon Marshall, said he’s in Toronto to work out because he’s at the stage of his career that “(a player) knows your body the best, and what is going to benefit you.”

“Phoenix is home,” Hopkins said. “It’s where I have been the last three years. Working out there — there’s no emphasis other than that’s where I live. It’s not me going on a campaign. It’s just me working out.”

General manager Monti Ossenfort was hired in January and said following the 2023 NFL Draft he didn’t “foresee” a trade happening when discussing Hopkins’ role with the team.

Hopkins said he believes the Cardinals can offer what he wants at this stage in his career — a stable GM, along with a quarterback who “lives the game and loves the game and a great defense.”

“This is Monti’s first year as a GM, but from what I understand and talking to Monti, I think Arizona is in good hands. (Defense) is good. We have Budda Baker, Isaiah Simmons. Kyler is a quarterback who loves the game but he’s injured. Right now, I’m playing with Colt McCoy, who I love. But who knows. Right now I don’t currently have a Pro Bowl quarterback or a quarterback who I would say…”

Hopkins drifted away from the QB chatter other than to say the team seems to be high on rookie quarterback Clayton Tune.

Hopkins, 30, has two years and $34.36 million in base pay left on his contract.

A three-time All-Pro, Hopkins has 221 receptions for 2,696 yards and 17 touchdowns in his three seasons in Arizona.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) reacts in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

DeAndre Hopkins Next Team Odds: Does Bill O’Brien hurt Patriots’ chances?

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The question about which team DeAndre Hopkins will suit up for next season took on another wrinkle when the New England Patriots brought Bill O’Brien back into the fold on Thursday.

The Patriots are in need of a No. 1 receiver and often have been mentioned as a potential trade partner should the Arizona Cardinals decide to separate from Hopkins, who could be part of the team’s offseason housecleaning.

However, O’Brien is the man who surprisingly dealt Hopkins out of Houston in 2020 in exchange for a second-round pick and running back David Johnson. Reports at the time indicated a rift between Hopkins and O’Brien, who is returning to the Patriots — he was on Bill Belichick’s staff from 2007-11 —
after spending the past two seasons as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.

Could Hopkins and O’Brien co-exist again?

The Patriots are still being offered at +450 by SportsBetting.ag to land Hopkins if he’s traded. That’s tied for the second-lowest odds among the dozen teams being offered odds on.

The current favorite is the Green Bay Packers at +300. That possibility could well be tied to the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has yet to decide if he wants to return to the Packers — if he decides to play in 2023 at all.

Green Bay does have a pair of promising young receivers in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, and Hopkins would be a welcome veteran addition even if the Packers ultimately transition to Jordan Love at quarterback.

New England has the same current odds to land Hopkins as Kansas City. The Chiefs brought in a trio of new receivers this season in JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kadarius Toney. However, Smith-Schuster is on a one-year deal and Hopkins could be a very appealing replacement to pair with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The Patriots, meanwhile, have a clear need for a star wideout.

Leading receiver Jakobi Meyers is a pending free agent, as is Nelson Agholor. DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne each have one year remaining on their contracts.

The Baltimore Ravens present a combination of question marks as they have the fourth-shortest odds to land Hopkins at +700.

First is the status of Lamar Jackson and whether the sides are able to work out a long-term contract.

The Ravens have publicly stated they will get a deal done to keep Jackson at quarterback, but that is the first domino that needs to fall before making a serious run at Hopkins. Baltimore has a desperate need for a No. 1 wideout for whomever is under center next season.

After Marquise Brown was traded last offseason — ironically to team up with Hopkins in Arizona – Baltimore’s leading wideout was Demarcus Robinson with a 48 catches for 458 yards. Devin Duvernay was next with 37 receptions but ended the season on injured reserved along with Rashod Bateman, who caught just 15 of 28 targets in seven games.

The first step to any team making a run for Hopkins is Arizona deciding to deal him.

The Cardinals parted ways with general manager Steve Keim and coach Kliff Kingsbury this offseason, and quarterback Kyler Murray’s timetable for a return from ACL surgery remains to be seen.

Hopkins has a full-no trade clause and would have control of where he goes. The other question is what type of value a receiver who will turn 31 in June and has played in a total of 19 games over the past two seasons due to suspension and injuries will bring in return.

Arizona might be eager to make Hopkins part of its housecleaning efforts after watching firsthand the decline of A.J. Green after he turned 31.

DeAndre Hopkins Next Team Odds
Packers (+300)
Chiefs (+450)
Patriots (+450)
Ravens (+700)
Bears (+900)
Giants (+900)
Browns (+1000)
Cowboys (+1000)
Chargers (+1000)
Jaguars (+1200)
Raiders (+1600)
Buccaneers (+1600)

NFL trades cannot become official until the first day of the NFL league year in March, but terms often are established in the weeks between the end of the regular season and the Super Bowl. Similar deals have been executed in recent offseasons, including the blockbusters involving wide receiver Davante Adams and quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford.

Hopkins has two years and $34.36 million left on his contract, but reportedly would like to renegotiate the deal after the market was reset last spring by Adams and Tyreek Hill, among others.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) warms up before their game agaionst the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins on trade block

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins could be part of the housecleaning effort under way and the franchise is considering making the All-Pro available in trade talks, according to reports.

The Score first reported Hopkins, who has a no-trade clause and would have control of his destination, could be on the move in the coming weeks.

NFL trades cannot become official until the first day of the NFL league year in March, but terms are often established in the weeks between the end of the regular season and the Super Bowl. Similar deals have been executed in recent offseasons, including the blockbusters involving wide receiver Davante Adams and quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford.

Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill fired head coach Kliff Kingsbury on Monday and general manager Steve Keim will not return to focus on his health.

Hopkins, 30, has two years and $34.36 million left on his contract. The report indicates Hopkins would like to renegotiate the deal after the market was reset last spring by Adams and Tyreek Hill, among others.

Teams with known needs for a lead receiver including the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots, franchises with ample salary cap space and draft capital to entice the Cardinals should either team have interest in acquiring Hopkins.

He was acquired from the Houston Texans by Keim in 2020 and caught 17 touchdowns in three seasons with the team. Hopkins missed eight games in 2022. He sat out the first six serving a suspension and missed the final two with a knee injury.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins (knee) out vs. Falcons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins will miss Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a knee injury, the team said Saturday.

Hopkins was initially added to the injury report on Friday and was listed as questionable. But the club downgraded his status one day later.

It will be the seventh game Hopkins misses this season. He sat out the first six while serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.

Hopkins has 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns in nine games this season. He is in his third campaign with Arizona after spending seven seasons with the Houston Texans.

Hopkins, 30, is a five-time Pro Bowl selection — the first four coming with the Texans. He has 853 career receptions for 11,298 yards and 71 touchdowns in 145 career games (all starts) over 10 seasons.

The other Cardinals ruled out for Sunday’s game are quarterback Colt McCoy (concussion), defensive end Zach Allen (hand) and cornerback Antonio Hamilton (hip). David Blough will start at quarterback for Arizona (4-11), which has dropped five straight games.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers place kicker Dustin Hopkins (6) kicks the game winning field goal against the Denver Broncos during overtime at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers place K Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) on IR

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The Los Angeles Chargers moved kicker Dustin Hopkins to injured reserve on Tuesday and signed kicker Cameron Dicker to the active roster.

Dicker, 22, kicked game-winning field goals in the first two games of his NFL career.

Dicker kicked the game-winning 37-yard field goal in a 20-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in his team debut in Week 9. He was signed to the practice squad three days before the game when kicker Taylor Bertolet went on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury, then promoted to the active roster.

Hopkins strained his right hamstring in a Week 6 contest against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 17. Playing through visible pain, Hopkins went 4 for 4 on field goals, including the game-winner in overtime to give Los Angeles a 19-16 victory.

Hopkins hasn’t played since. Coach Brandon Staley originally said the timetable would be two to four weeks.

Dicker will likely be the Chargers’ placekicker for at least the next four games, the span Hopkins must miss before he becomes eligible to be activated off IR.

Dicker, an undrafted rookie out of Texas, appeared in one game for the Philadelphia Eagles before the Chargers picked him up while Hopkins was hurt. He kicked the game-winning 23-yard field goal against the Arizona Cardinals in his NFL debut for the Eagles in Week 5.

A practice squad promotion in each of the last three weeks, Dicker has been perfect for the Chargers, making all six extra points and all seven field goals he’s attempted, with a long of 47 yards.

Hopkins has kicked in 109 NFL games with Washington (2015-21) and the Chargers (2021-22). He has made 190 of 224 field-goal attempts, a success rate of 84.8 percent.

–Field Level Media