The Tennessee Titans are set to kick off their 2024 season on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, but the status of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins remains uncertain. Hopkins, who sustained a knee injury in late July, missed all of August’s practices but participated in three limited sessions leading up to the game.
Hopkins revealed this week that he is dealing with an MCL tear, which he notes typically takes a year to fully heal. He acknowledged that playing through the injury will largely depend on his ability to manage the pain.
“I had the MCL tear about four and a half, five weeks ago, and it’s a long recovery process,” Hopkins said, according to Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky. “It’s mostly about managing the pain at this point.”
Officially, Hopkins is listed as questionable. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Saturday that, while Hopkins is expected to play in Week 1, his participation might be limited depending on his pain tolerance.
DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update
UPDATE: The Titans have announced their inactive list for Week 1, and DeAndre Hopkins is not included, confirming he will play.
While Hopkins is anticipated to see action, his snap count might be restricted due to his injury. The veteran wide receiver was a key target for quarterback Will Levis last season, demonstrating he still has plenty to offer with his seventh 1,000-yard campaign.
Should You Start DeAndre Hopkins in Fantasy?
Given the uncertainty around his workload and the Titans’ crowded wide receiver corps, starting Hopkins in fantasy leagues is risky. The addition of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd has already muddied the wide receiver situation, and Hopkins’ potential limitations only add to the concern.
Titans Inactives #TENvsCHI pic.twitter.com/TJSujbjDuO
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 8, 2024
With the possibility of a reduced role and the ongoing issue with his knee, it may be wise to keep Hopkins out of your fantasy lineup for Week 1. If Hopkins is sidelined, expect third-year wideout Treylon Burks to step up, and Ridley could emerge as the primary target.
