Cardinals' Hopkins suspended 6 games for violating PED policy
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was suspended six games without pay for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy, the league announced Monday.
Hopkins will be allowed to take part in the Cardinals' preseason practices and games before serving the ban.
The Cardinals star elected to withdraw his appeal, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.
Hopkins tested positive for "trace elements" of a banned substance in November, though his October and December tests returned negative, his brand manager, Doug Sanders, told ESPN's Adam Schefter. He said they're testing every product Hopkins used to determine how he failed the PED test.
"DeAndre is committed to demonstrating that he did not knowingly take a banned substance," Sanders said. "He has never once tested positive throughout his 10-year career."
Hopkins apologized in a statement released later Monday and said he was "confused and shocked" he failed the test.
See you Week 7. pic.twitter.com/rHTofEx7jK
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) May 3, 2022
The 29-year-old was sidelined for seven games last season due to various injuries. He missed time earlier in 2021 due to a hamstring issue before a knee ailment ended his year. He concluded his campaign with a career-low 42 receptions for 572 yards.
Arizona's offense noticeably struggled during Hopkins' absence. The team went 8-2 with him in the lineup but just 3-4 without him in the regular season.
He was one of the league's most durable and consistent receivers prior to his injury-riddled 2021 season. He missed just two games before then and eclipsed 1,000 yards on six occasions.
The Cardinals bolstered their wide receiver group during the NFL draft, acquiring Marquise Brown in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens. They also re-signed veteran A.J. Green earlier in the offseason. Former second-rounder Rondale Moore rounds out the top of the wideout depth chart.
Arizona acquired Hopkins in a 2020 trade with the Houston Texans. He has caught 157 passes for 1,979 yards and 14 touchdowns during his two seasons with the team.