An Arizona sports talk radio host went on air Monday afternoon and said DeAndre Hopkins was “probably going to play” in the Cardinals’ wild card game against the Rams.
That won’t happen, and in fact, the All-Pro wide receiver is not expected back at any point in the postseason, multiple sources told Compare.bet.
Hopkins tore his MCL on Dec. 13 against the Rams. Once it was decided he would have surgery on the knee, the possibility of the star pass-catcher returning this year became remote, sources said.
While the radio host, John Gambadoro of Arizona’s Sports Station 98.7 FM, did not guarantee Hopkins’ availability for Monday Night Football in Los Angeles, he was optimistic.
“I’m not at 80/20 or anything like that, but I think there’s a decent chance that they will get DeAndre Hopkins back for this game,” Gambadoro said during the Burns & Gambo Show.
“If you ask me right now, do I think DeAndre Hopkins will play? I feel good that he will. I’m not betting a car payment on it or anything, but each week we do this, and usually we get it right.”
DeAndre Hopkins' absence has been devastating for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals passing attack (via @SportsInfo_SIS)
With Nuk on field, Arizona is 1st in yards per attempt (8.8) and 3rd-best in EPA per play (0.21).
Without Nuk? They're 16th in YPA (7.0) and 24th in EPA (0.0). pic.twitter.com/ZsPPlx8mvi
— Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield) January 11, 2022
Hopkins was using crutches on the sideline during Sunday’s regular season finale against the Seahawks, visible proof that he is a long way from seeing the field.
The Super Bowl is not until Feb. 13, but even if the Cardinals go on a magical run, Hopkins is not expected to be ready for that game, sources said.
Hopkins played in 10 contests in 2021, finishing with 42 catches for 572 yards and eight touchdowns. Quarterback Kyler Murray had a 133.6 passer rating when targeting him.
The Cardinals were 8-2 with Hopkins and went 3-4 in the seven games he missed, dropping from the NFC’s elite to the No. 5 seed heading into the playoffs. They averaged 30.2 points per game with him and 21 points per game without him this season.
Former undrafted free agent Antoine Wesley will continue to fill in for Hopkins at receiver. Wesley has 19 catches for 208 yards and three touchdowns this year.
