In stunning NFL news on Monday, it was announced that Arizona Cardinals superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is being suspended six games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Hopkins will have to sit out the first six games of Arizona’s season.
On Monday night, Hopkins released a statement in response to the suspension news.
“See you Week 7,” Hopkins tweeted while sharing a screenshot of his statement.
See you Week 7. pic.twitter.com/rHTofEx7jK
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) May 3, 2022
“In my 10-year NFL career, I have never tested positive for using performance enhancing drugs. To learn that my November test came back with trace elements of a banned substance, I was confused and shocked. I am very mindful of what I put in my body and have always taken a holistic approach, so I am working with my team to investigate how this could’ve happened. But even as careful as I have been, clearly I wasn’t careful enough. For that, I apologize to Cardinals fans, my teammas, and the entire Cardinals organization. I never want to let my team down. I fully intend to get to the bottom of this. As soon as I have more information I will share it.”
Hopkins, 29, is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL (and he’s Kyler Murray’s top target). He’s been selected as a first or second-team All-Pro five times, to go with five Pro Bowl selections. He was limited to 10 games in 2021 due to leg injuries, and had 42 receptions for 572 yards and eight touchdowns. In 2020, he had 115 receptions for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns.
During the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday, Arizona got some wide receiver help by acquiring veteran wideout Marquise Brown in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens.
