ARIZONA CARDINALS

Report: DeAndre Hopkins opting for MCL surgery in hopes of return

Dec 16, 2021, 6:38 AM | Updated: 8:16 am

DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on from the side line during the second quarter ...

DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on from the side line during the second quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins is undergoing surgery to repair an MCL in his knee, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

While that means a certain move to the injured reserve list, Rapoport added it’s the only option to repair a “badly torn” MCL while also aiming for a return should the Cardinals go deep into the postseason.

A six-week recovery period, according to Rapoport, is expected. Hopkins is meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Thursday to schedule the surgery.

CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson adds that the team internally is bracing for a two-to-four month recovery time before Hopkins undergoes surgery.

Aiming for a late January return would allow Hopkins to potentially make an appearance this postseason.

After the Wild Card round two weeks into January, the divisional games are Jan. 22-23, 2022, while the conference championship games are both scheduled for Jan. 30, 2022.

Arizona holds a 10-3 record with four games left and can clinch a playoff berth with a win Sunday against the 1-11-1 Detroit Lions.

Hopkins has 42 catches (tied for third on the Cardinals) for 572 yards (third) this year. His eight receiving touchdowns still leads the team this season, even though he has missed three games with a hamstring issue.

Hopkins played in the last two games coming out of a bye week before injuring his knee on a late jump-ball catch attempt Monday in a 30-23 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Those three games without Hopkins gave the Cardinals a chance to seek out in-house alternatives.

Lanky outside man Antoine Wesley played more than 70% of the snaps in the trio of games with Hopkins sidelined, and rookie Rondale Moore could be used more often, albeit in different packages.

Christian Kirk also took on a near-100% role when Arizona was without Hopkins, while the imminent return of running back Chase Edmonds could give head coach Kliff Kingsbury another in-house tweak at his disposal.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Report: DeAndre Hopkins opting for MCL surgery in hopes of return