DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update Threatens Week 15 Fantasy Outlook (Updated)

Updated (Wednesday, Dec. 15, 3:35 p.m. EST): DeAndre Hopkins is now expected to miss the rest of the regular season after suffering a sprained knee. The Cardinals are hopeful to get him back for the NFL postseason, but fantasy managers should target A.J. Green and Christian Kirk as potential replacement options for the fantasy football playoffs.

Cardinals’ WR DeAndre Hopkins is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a sprained knee, but the team is hopeful to get him back at some point in the postseason, leagues sources tell me and @JFowlerESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 15, 2021

DeAndre Hopkins failed to impress on Monday night in his second game back from a hamstring injury. It turns out Hopkins may have picked up a new ailment after he was seen limping after the game.

DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update

The latest update on Hopkins is concerning ahead of Week 15.

Kliff Kingsbury said WR DeAndre Hopkins is having a second opinion on his leg today after his initial MRI.

That doesn't sound awesome.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) December 15, 2021

Hopkins is seeking out a second opinion after having an MRI done on Tuesday. That's extremely worrisome news and could hint at something serious going on.

DeAndre Hopkins Fantasy Outlook

Hopkins has failed to impress since returning from his previous hamstring-related absence. He recorded just 2 receptions in Week 13, and he only managed 5 catches against the Los Angeles Rams despite seeing 12 targets.

Ian Rapoport added that Hopkins is "in danger" of sitting out in Week 15, which would be his fourth game missed this season.

#AZCardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins, dealing with a knee injury today, won’t participate in today’s walk-through and is in danger of missing this week’s game, sources say. He is seeking more opinions.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2021

Christian Kirk Fantasy Outlook

Christian Kirk would be one big beneficiary if Hopkins sits.

Kirk has averaged 5.1 targets and 3.8 receptions across 10 games alongside Hopkins this season. Those numbers jumped to 6.3 and 5.0, respectively, when Hopkins was out Weeks 9-11.

Kirk also didn't play fewer than 73% of the team's offensive snaps in three Hopkins-less games this season, showcasing a sizable role for the wideout if the latter sits.

A.J. Green Fantasy Outlook

A.J. Green is another Arizona Cardinals pass-catcher managers could target. Green saw 12 targets in the two games he played in while Hopkins was out earlier this campaign.

Green is also coming off of one of his best games of the year, recording 7 receptions and 102 yards. His 10 targets were only second to Hopkins, and he'd have a chance to absorb some of the 6.3 targets Hopkins is averaging per contest if he becomes the Cards' de facto WR1.

Arizona's receivers draw a mouth-watering matchup in Week 15 against a Detroit Lions secondary that ranks third-worst in Football Outsiders' pass-defense DVOA metric.

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Isaiah De Los Santos is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Isaiah De Los Santos also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username zayyy05328. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.