Tennessee Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins out several weeks with knee injury, will not require surgery

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is set to miss “several weeks” with a knee injury, head coach Brian Callahan told reporters on Saturday.

The good news is that the knee injury is not expected to require surgery, but it does put Hopkins’ status for the season opener against the Bears into question.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport posted on Twitter that the hope is that Hopkins will be back in around four weeks.

“Titans coach Brian Callahan confirms that veteran WR DeAndre Hopkins is out ‘several weeks’ with a knee injury. He adds that there was no surgery, and source says a return at four weeks is likely (but not guaranteed),” Rapoport posted. “Would allow him to be ready for Week 1.”

The 32-year-old Hopkins was banged up earlier this week during training camp.

If Hopkins does miss the start of the year, it would be a big loss for the Titans, who are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2023 season.

In his first year in Tennessee, the Clemson Tigers alum led the team with 75 receptions, 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. It was his first 1,000-yard receiving season since 2020 as he dealt with injuries in 2021 and 2022. At that time, Hopkins was a member of the Arizona Cardinals. He signed a two-year contract with the Titans in July of last year.

DeAndre Hopkins loves playing for the Tennessee Titans

DeAndre Hopkins recently spoke about what it is like playing for the Titans and calling Nashville home.

“I love Tennessee, and I love what Miss Amy is doing,” Hopkins said of controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, and the franchise last week, per the Titans’ official website. “I think this is the happiest I’ve been in any organization, so let that speak for itself. (I like) how Miss Amy runs things. It’s a great place to be. She is putting pieces together to try and win, and it’s exciting.”

The Titans have had their share of changes this offseason. They have a new head coach in Brian Callahan, a new offensive coordinator in Nick Holz and a new wide receivers coach in Tyke Tolbert. Hopkins is excited about the changes but is making sure he’s focusing on being at his absolute best in 2024.

“I am always competing,” Hopkins said. “Any time we get anyone who is a No.1 receiver, my mindset is to go out and outcompete them, outdo them. I’ve always had that mindset, Kobe Bryant being my favorite athlete of all time. Any time I get a chance to compete against anyone I am trying to outcompete them, trying to outdo them. And that’s only going to make the team better.”