DeAndre Hopkins has been placed on injured reserve after the star receiver sustained a knee injury during the Arizona Cardinals' Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The Cardinals did release positive news in activating running back Chase Edmonds, who has been on injured reserve after sustaining a knee injury back in Week 9. Edmonds is expected to play in the Cardinals' upcoming game against the Detroit Lions.
CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported Hopkins was tentatively scheduled for surgery Friday, and the internal expectation is for Hopkins to miss two-to-four months. The Cardinals are not expecting Hopkins back pre-surgery.
Hopkins suffered the injury late in Monday night's matchup, and head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Tuesday that Hopkins was searching for a second opinion after an initial MRI, according to the Cardinals' official website. Obviously, the fact that Hopkins was looking for a second opinion after his MRI was not good news. Schefter said that it is still unknown if the star wideout will need surgery.
In 10 games this season, Hopkins has caught 42 passes for 572 yards and eight touchdowns. He's third on the team in receiving yards, but leads all teammates in touchdown catches. The five-time Pro Bowler missed three games due to a hamstring injury, but returned to the starting lineup for Arizona's Week 13 matchup with the Chicago Bears. Just two games later, however, he will be shut down again.
In nine games this season, Edmonds has rushed for 430 yards and one touchdown along with catching 30 passes for 211 yards. James Conner has picked up the slack in Edmonds' absence. A former Pro Bowler, Conner has rushed for 661 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He also has 29 receptions for 303 yards and two touchdowns.
While the 10-3 Cardinals are now the No. 3 seed in the NFC, they are still tied for having the best record in the NFL and have four games left on the docket to fight for the first-round bye.
