The Tennessee Titans are hoping to get star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins back in time for the Week 1 contest against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 8, but his status remains up in the air.
The good news is, the Titans appear optimistic Hopkins will indeed return from his injury for the season-opener. The veteran wideout was originally diagnosed with a strained knee and was given a four-to-six week timetable to return.
As of Wednesday, Aug. 28, we are four weeks into his recovery, so there's a chance he could return soon. Last week, head coach Brian Callahan revealed that the team was shooting for Hopkins to be back for Week 1, per ESPN's Turron Davenport.
As the Titans returned to practice this week, Callahan gave an update on Hopkins' practice participation and status for Week 1.
DeAndre Hopkins injury update
Thursday update
According to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com, Callahan stated that he is still hopeful Hopkins will be ready for Week 1. As far as his Thursday practice participation was concerned, Hopkins did not take part.
.@Titans Coach Brian Callahan said the team is still hoping to get DeAndre Hopkins back for the opener
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 29, 2024
.@Titans back on practice field Thursday.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 29, 2024
Not spotted: Arden Key, DeAndre Hopkins, Otis Reese IV, Jamal Adams. pic.twitter.com/uWHwcw2Qtg
Wednesday update
According to ESPN's Turron Davenport, head coach Brian Callahan revealed that Hopkins did not practice on Wednesday.
Brian Callahan said DeAndre Hopkins and Jamal Adams are the only players that didn't practice for the #Titans today.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 28, 2024
Obviously, not great news, but the Titans do still have another week of practice before the season-opening matchup against the Bears, and Hopkins doesn't need a lot of time to get himself ready thanks to his wealth of experience in the NFL.
Hopkins is coming off a season in which he showed he is still very much at the top of his game. After a slow start, DHop took off when quarterback Will Levis was inserted as the starter.
The future Hall of Famer reeled in 75 passes for 1,057 yards and seven scores in his first season in the two-tone blue. He served as Levis' No. 1 option and will now get an opportunity to play with the young signal-caller for an entire campaign.
Hopkins will have a lot more competition for targets this coming season after the signings of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, but the Titans will also be throwing the football a lot more as they move to a more modern offense under Callahan.
