Arizona Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins suspended 6 games for PED violation

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy, the league announced Monday.

The six-game suspension is a result of a positive test result from an anabolic agent, per the league’s updated PED policy.

In a statement from an NFL spokesperson, Hopkins is eligible to participate in preseason practices and games. He can return to the active roster after the team’s sixth regular-season game.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the suspension, as well as a text message from Hopkins’ brand manager, Doug Sanders:

“Today the NFL announced their decision to suspend DeAndre Hopkins as a result of a November drug test that came back with trace elements of a banned substance. DeAndre and everyone who works with him is completely shocked by this finding because he is extremely diligent about what he puts in his body. His October and December tests were negative and we are investigating how the November test came back positive.

“DeAndre is committed to demonstrating that he did not knowingly take a banned substance. He has never once tested positive throughout his 10-year career. We’re currently testing ever product he used to figure out how this could have happened and will release any new information as soon as we have it.”

However, Pro Football Focus’ Ari Meirov adds that Hopkins’ appeal has been withdrawn and the suspension is final.

Hopkins on Monday apologized via Twitter and said he’d be back for the Cardinals following the completion of his suspension:

See you Week 7. pic.twitter.com/rHTofEx7jK

— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) May 3, 2022

The next morning, quarterback Kyler Murray responded to Hopkins’ tweet, backing the wideout.

“Hop’s character has never been in question,” Murray posted Tuesday. “We got you family.”

Per Spotrac, Hopkins will forfeit $4.05 million in 2022 compensation for the six-game suspension.

Hopkins is coming off an injury-riddled season in which he missed seven games with a hamstring injury and torn MCL. Over that span, Arizona posted a 3-4 mark, highlighted by a 1-3 finish. The offense wasn’t hitting on all cylinders and those around Hopkins failed to step up when called upon.

In 10 games played last season, Hopkins recorded 42 catches for 572 yards and a team-leading eight receiving touchdowns. With the wideout on the field, Arizona was 8-2.

In late April, head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Hopkins was moving around a lot better than he was as he continued to rehab.

News of the suspension comes down following the team’s draft-day trade on Thursday to acquire former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown.

Brown, who has a close relationship with quarterback Kyler Murray from their college days at Oklahoma, heads to the Valley after reeling in 91 catches for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns.

With Hopkins sidelined through the first six weeks, Arizona’s receiving corps features Brown, A.J. Green, Rondale Moore, Antoine Wesley. The team also has pass catchers Zach Ertz and 2022 second-rounder Trey McBride.

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