Last week, the Arizona Cardinals got star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins back from his six-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy and it certainly didn’t take long for him to find his place in the offense, catching 10 passes for 103 yards.
Throughout the team’s 42-34 win over the New Orleans Saints, it was clear that Hopkins was Kyler Murray‘s favorite target to throw to. And during his press conference this week, Murray made it very clear that he’s happy to have him back in the offense.
“I think having ‘Hop’ back definitely helps,” Murray said in his press conference. “Just having him out there — his presence, his confidence, the ability, route running to catch the ball — all that stuff. More than anything, me and him are just comfortable together and we’ve had those reps. I know where he’s going to be, and what he’s going do. Same for him. It’s unfortunate to start the season like that, but I don’t think we could have done anything different.”
While Hopkins is going to put up big numbers by himself, Murray explains that his mere presence on the field opens things up for the rest of the team, as well.
“I know we have one of the best receiving corps in the league for the depth that we have,” Murray said. “The guys we’ve got in that room, the running backs, tight ends — I’m confident in everybody out there. The more we can move him around and make people worry about him, which is a given, other people are going to be open.”
It certainly worked out for the Cardinals last week, we’ll have to see how the offense develops as the season goes on.
