The questions surrounding DeAndre Hopkins’ status for the Tennessee Titans’ Week 1 game against the Chicago Bears are finally getting answered.
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reports the Titans wide receiver is set to suit up on game day:
DeAndre Hopkins’ status for Week 1 gains clarity
For what it’s worth, DeAndre Hopkins’ status has been uncertain since July when it was first reported that a knee injury was going to slow down his ramp-up for the 2024 NFL season. Since then, Hopkins has shared with reporters that he is going to try to play through a torn MCL. It is admirable, to be sure. NFL players gutting out tough injuries to give it their all on game day is something else. But playing on a torn MCL in Week 1 … on the road … on a Soldier Field surface that has a not-so-sterling reputation … and against a top-notch secondary is equal parts bold and risky.
I find it notable that Fowler mentions that it is unknown how much Hopkins will play. That seems like an important thing to know. Perhaps the Titans are floating news that DeAndre Hopkins is set to play as a piece of gamesmanship in an attempt to give the Bears something to think about. Yours truly wouldn’t put it past any NFL team to do something like that, especially with a player who can be as impactful as Hopkins.
DeAndre Hopkins is coming off a 75-catch, 1,057-yard, 7-touchdown season with the Titans. The 32-year-old five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver hopes to duplicate those numbers while catching passes from second-year quarterback Will Levis. Apparently, that journey will begin on Sunday at Soldier Field. Stay tuned.