Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins received a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s PED policy.
In 2021, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins missed a total of seven games due to hamstring and knee injuries. For 2022, Hopkins will be sidelined yet again for a good chunk of the season.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Hopkins has been suspended for the first six games of the 2022 regular season due to violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. The suspension is final, as Hopkin’s appeal had been withdrawn.
Cardinals’ Pro-Bowl WR DeAndre Hopkins is being suspended six games for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Drug policy, league sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/hNGNX4Aegx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 2, 2022
More: Hopkins' appeal has been withdrawn. This suspension is final. https://t.co/lwzEUMLzDm
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 2, 2022
NFL Twitter reacts to DeAndre Hopkins news and suspension
After news broke of Hopkins’ suspension, NFL Twitter users shared their thoughts:
DeAndre Hopkins is being suspended for the first six games of the season due to the NFL’s PED policy, per Adam Schefter.
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) May 2, 2022
That Hollywood signing came at the perfect time, eh?
We've seen how much the Cardinals struggle without DeAndre Hopkins. A six-game suspension is brutal and could torpedo the season before it begins.
— Kyle Odegard (@Kyle_Odegard) May 2, 2022
NFL schedule is released next Thursday, May 12. The 49ers can hope that they play the Cardinals while DeAndre Hopkins is suspended in the first 6 weeks, because Arizona’s offense has really struggled without him
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 2, 2022
The Patriots will face the Cardinals during the 2022 regular season, and there is now a 35% chance it will be without DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona's lineup. https://t.co/JqiHRQCQm1
— Bernd Buchmasser (@BerndBuchmasser) May 2, 2022
Hopkins missed one game over the first eight years of his career. When he gets back next year, he'll have missed, because of injury and suspension, 13 of 15 games. He turns 30 next month. https://t.co/w58DVDCm7u
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 2, 2022
Cardinals fans will now be eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the 2022 NFL season schedule on May 12 to see which games Hopkins will miss.
Arizona did make a play for a wide receiver at the NFL Draft, and it did not involve a prospect. The Cardinals traded their 23rd-overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. So, Brown will instantly be the top target in Arizona’s passing offense with Hopkins out for the first third of the season.
Through 10 games last season, Hopkins caught 42-of-64 targets for 572 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Cardinals offense struggled without Hopkins, and they will now have to play without him for the first six games of the upcoming campaign.