The Tennessee Titans are hoping to have their star wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, for Week 1 of the 2024 campaign, but his status remains up in the air as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
Hopkins suffered a strained knee during practice at the end of last month and was given a four-to-six week timetable to return. As the calendar turns to September, Hopkins is now at the beginning of the fifth week of his recovery.
Recently, head coach Brian Callahan provided a positive update on Hopkins' recovery, but didn't say definitively that the veteran receiver would suit up.
"He's progressing, and he's in a good place," Callahan said of Hopkins, per Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. "It will just be a matter of how he feels during practice next week. … As long as he feels good and feels he can play at a high level, he'll be ready to roll."
While hosting a youth football camp on Sunday afternoon, Hopkins touched on his status ahead of the season-opener, which comes on Sunday, Sept. 8, against the Chicago Bears.
DeAndre Hopkins injury update for Week 1
According to Buck Reising of AtoZ Sports Nashville, Hopkins said he is "preparing to play," but did not say for sure that he would.
"Of course, I'm preparing to play," Hopkins said. "But, you know, there's measures (in place). We've got a long season, so I'm sure (the Titans) will make the right call. The rehab guys, Todd (Toriscelli) have been doing a great job."
As of now, the expectation should be that Hopkins will play in Week 1, but we'll have to monitor the injury reports over the week to know for sure. The first injury report of the week should come on Wednesday.
Even if Hopkins doesn't play, he is likely to be ready to go by Week 2, barring a setback.
