Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins Out At Least 6 Weeks With Knee Injury

DeAndre Hopkins suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for a minimum of six weeks – which puts his return date at late January. Hopkins was hurt late in the game against the Los Angeles Rams. The Arizona Cardinals will list Hopkins on the injured reserve.

Hopkins has gotten multiple opinions on the best steps to take moving forward and will meet with respected surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache today to determine a surgery date for his torn MCL.

Before this season, Hopkins had a history of durability. He only missed two games since entering the league in 2013. Hopkins has been battling injuries this season. He was held out of three games with a hamstring injury. He finished the season with a career-low 42 catches for 572 yards and eight touchdowns, breaking his four-year streak of thousand-plus yard seasons.

The Cardinals are currently 10-3, with a chance to be the No.1 seed heading into the playoffs. If they earn the No. 1 seed, they will get a first-round bye which makes it possible for Hopkins to return for their entire playoff run in the best-case scenario. However, reports are now coming in that recovery may look more like two to four months in which Hopkins would start looking toward a 2022 season return. 

If Hopkins is unable to return, the Cardinals will lean on A.J. Green, Christian Kirk and Rondale Moore in the postseason.