The Tennessee Titans received a piece of unfortunate news coming out of training camp on Thursday as Paul Kuharsky reports star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins suffered a knee injury this week.
Hopkins reportedly suffered a knee strain and is expected to miss four-to-six weeks of action. This timeline puts the Titans in a bind with the season opener on the road against the Chicago Bears set for Sept. 8. The 32-year-old practiced Wednesday with a wrap covering his left knee area.
DeAndre Hopkins on Wednesday during his only 1 on 1 rep (which isn’t unusual). Left knee/lower-leg wrapped.
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) August 1, 2024
Doesn’t look like the wrap would be for a knee strain, per the report. Nothing stood out about Hopkins getting hurt during the day #Titans https://t.co/Ha5XGFIxSR pic.twitter.com/j9oPBnsSdE
This puts Hopkins' status for Week One in question and raises some concern about his availability for the home opener in Week Two against the New York Jets. With that being said, if Hopkins is able to return after a four-week hiatus, he will have a full week to prepare leading up to the season opener in Chicago.
Hopkins' absence means a few different things for the Titans wide receivers. Firstly, it allows Calvin Ridley to step into the role as the team's No. 1 option in the passing game. Ridley, who has been lighting it up early in camp, will be Will Levis' primary target as the offense prepares for the preseason opener at home against the 49ers on Aug. 10.
The player who is likely to be most impacted by Hopkins' injury is Treylon Burks. With the additions of Ridley and Tyler Boyd this offseason, Burks dropped a few pegs on the totem pole. The 2022 first-round pick will now have plenty of opportunities to make plays and earn the trust of his quarterback and the coaching staff in what can be considered a make-or-break year for Burks.
Multiple angles of Will Levis throwing a beautiful deep ball to Treylon Burks. Nice catch too pic.twitter.com/xe5mhniese
— Justin Graver (@titansfilmroom) July 31, 2024
In conclusion, the Titans need Hopkins on the field to open the season. The matchup against Chicago feels like one the Titans need to steal, especially considering the Jets, Packers, and Dolphins are the next three games on the schedule.
Hopkins is Levis' most trusted target and showed that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank after racking up 75 catches for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns a season ago. Although Hopkins will miss valuable time leading up to the regular season, getting him healthy for the season opener should be the team's top priority.
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