Arizona Cardinals wide receivers: Who must step up with DeAndre Hopkins suspended?

With DeAndre Hopkins suspended for six games, the rest of the Arizona Cardinals wide receivers have to make up for his absence.

The Cardinals were dealt a blow on Monday with the news that star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will miss the first six games of the 2022 season because of a suspension.

Hopkins violated the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances, and he’s not appealing according to Ian Rapoport, so his fate is settled.

How prepared is Arizona to begin the coming season without such a key figure?

Arizona Cardinals wide receivers to lean on with DeAndre Hopkins suspended

• Andre Baccellia (0-0-0)
• Marquise Brown (91-1,008-6)
• Greg Dortch (3-24-0)
• A.J. Green (54-848-3)
• Andy Isabella (1-13-0)
• Rondale Moore (54-435-1)
• Antoine Wesley (19-208-3)

The Cardinals lost Christian Kirk to free agency, so two of Kyler Murray’s most important receiving targets are now gone, one permanently and one temporarily.

The quarterback can breathe a sigh of relief knowing he’s just been reunited with one of his college pass catchers after Arizona traded for Marquise “Hollywood” Brown during the draft.

Brown will be expected to slot right in as the primary target for Murray along with A.J. Green, who pitched in more than 800 yards last year.

However, Green is turning 34 in July so younger talents need to start making their mark as well. Rondale Moore was a second-round pick in 2021 who will be expected to make a bigger impact in Year 2.

This could be an opportunity for Zach Ertz to also expand his role as a tight end target after managing 574 yards and three touchdowns in his first season with the team last year. That was his most productive season since 2019 with the Eagles but he’s had five seasons with more than 800 yards receiving in his career.

Losing Hopkins is obviously a huge deal for the Cardinals and his absence will be keenly felt. Kliff Kingsbury can only hope the other receivers on the roster can keep the team afloat until he’s back.