Report: Hopkins unlikely to return before NFC title game

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is unlikely to return from his torn MCL before the NFC Championship Game at the earliest, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 29-year-old was already expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after injuring his knee against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14.

Hopkins has 42 receptions for 572 yards and eight touchdowns in what has been an injury-plagued season. The five-time Pro Bowler missed three games with a hamstring ailment before re-entering the lineup in Week 13.

Hopkins ranked third in the NFL with 1,407 receiving yards last year. He's surpassed 1,000 yards through the air in six of his last eight seasons, spending most of that time with the Houston Texans.

Arizona enters Week 15 tied for the conference's best record at 10-3, but it's yet to clinch a playoff spot. The Cardinals sit one game ahead of the Rams for first in the NFC West.