The Arizona Cardinals lost their best playmaker back in Week 14 when DeAndre Hopkins suffered an MCL injury that required surgery and landed him on injured reserve. He’s been out ever since and his original timetable to return gave him a chance to be activated for the NFC Championship Game – if the Cardinals made it that far.
While some in Arizona were holding out hope that he’d be return this week against the Rams, that won’t be the case. Kliff Kingsbury confirmed Wednesday that Hopkins will not be ready for Monday’s wild-card game against Los Angeles, keeping him out at least another week.
It was expected news, but is now confirmed.
Kliff Kingsbury confirms to LA media that WR DeAndre Hopkins will not be ready to return from knee surgery vs the Rams, but the Cardinals hope to get JJ Watt into practice this week to see whether he could return Monday night.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) January 12, 2022
As for another key Cardinals player, J.J. Watt’s status is still up in the air. Watt was designated to return to practice last week but hasn’t yet been activated. He’s still hoping to play against the Rams, but the Cardinals will need to see how he does in practice as he returns from a torn labrum.
He told reporters Wednesday that he’s not going to play if he can’t do his job properly, so they’ll monitor his status as the week progresses.
J.J. Watt isn't committing to saying he'll play Monday yet. Like Kliff Kingsbury said, Watt said he needs to see how his practice time goes.
Watt emphasized he won't play if he can't do his job. Makes no sense to him to go out there if he's a detriment to the defense.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) January 12, 2022
The Cardinals are still a dangerous team without these two stars, but they’re much better when Hopkins and Watt are on the field. The Rams know they won’t have to face Hopkins, but Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein should be prepared for Watt to be out there – just in case.
