Injuries have taken a toll on the Chiefs’ offense this season. Despite maintaining an undefeated record, they are actively seeking reinforcements in the receiving corps. In response to these health challenges, the reigning champions have secured All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans.
However, Hopkins’ history of injuries may raise alarm among supporters. His talent is unquestionable; when fit, he has consistently been among the league’s premier receivers since 2010. Nonetheless, the five-time Pro Bowler has contended with various injuries throughout his career.
While he has encountered minor injuries, like many NFL players, from 2013 onward, it wasn’t until 2021 that they notably impacted his playing time. Draft Sharks reports that his first significant injury occurred in 2014 with a torn ligament in his right wrist.
Fortunately, that season, he did not miss any games and chose surgery to resolve the issue. The first game he would miss came in the 2017 season due to a left calf injury, causing him to miss the season’s final game.
In 2020, Hopkins faced a variety of injuries, including a thigh hamstring sprain, a Grade 1 ankle sprain, a neck injury, and a lower back lumbar sprain. Despite these setbacks, he managed to play through all of them. His hamstring problems flared up again in 2021, leading to three missed games after he aggravated the injury.
Later that season, he suffered a December MCL tear against the Rams, which sidelined him for the rest of the year. Altogether, he missed seven games that season. Additionally, he missed the first six games of the 2022 season due to a violation of the NFL’s drug policy, rejoining the team in Week 7.
He reinjured his knee in Week 16, which led to him sitting out the final two weeks of that season. During training camp, a grade 3 MCL tear further hampered his performance at the start of the following season.
Nevertheless, the fact that he successfully passed his physical before joining the Chiefs indicates he is currently in good shape. Kansas City will be optimistic about his health moving forward, even though it required them to give up a higher draft pick.
The Chiefs are capitalizing on a potential steal if Hopkins remains healthy!
Given their lengthy injury list, the Chiefs had no choice but to bring in a wide receiver. With DHop now part of their lineup, an intriguing question remains about what they traded for his acquisition.
Kansas City is giving up its fifth-round pick for next season. This selection could convert to a fourth-round pick if Hopkins plays at least 60% of the snaps this season and the team makes another Super Bowl appearance. With this trade, the Mahomes-led squad is welcoming a three-time All-Pro receiver.
As a part of the deal, the Titans will cover $2.5 million of the receiver’s salary. With 173 yards on 15 receptions to date, DeAndre Hopkins is anticipated to be a significant contributor for the defending champions this season, especially in light of the absences of Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and others.
Image Source: DeAndre Hopkins @ Instagram
