Titans’ DeAndre Hopkins Suffers Knee Injury, Could Miss Start Of Season

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins suffered a knee injury at training camp this week. Following medical examinations, the team announced that he will be out four to six weeks and may not be available to start the season.

Hopkins, the five-time Pro-Bowler best known for his time with the Houston Texans, carved out a solid role as the Titans’ leading receiver in his first year with the team in 2023. After two frustrating years with the Cardinals, Hopkins demonstrated rapport with rookie quarterback Will Levis and earned 1,000 yards for the seventh time in his 11-season career.

At age 32, any injury to an NFL wideout could be detrimental, but even in the worst case based on the current return window, Hopkins could be available to rejoin Tennessee two or three weeks into the season.

Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo should pick up more targets in Hopkins’ absence, while second-string receiver Treylon Burks will likely begin to receive first-team reps in training camp. During the season, the team could also lean more on its running game through Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears.

In 2023, the Titans were never viewed as serious contenders and eventually set the season aside to give Levis time to adjust at the professional level under center. Tennessee finished 6-11 and did not make enough adjustments in the off-season to warrant serious consideration in 2024. If anything, the team has to prove that it can develop a credible offense under a new head coach without star running back Derrick Henry.

Losing another veteran player like Hopkins, if only for a game or two, could hurt the Titans early in 2024, but the team also has more weapons than it did last year. The growing pains will be inevitable, but for a team coming off two disappointing seasons with a young passer and new scorching staff, the patient approach will likely be necessary.