One complaint Arizona Cardinals fans have about receiver DeAndre Hopkins is the fact he doesn’t always practice. It would seem like a regular occurrence that he was a DNP: non-injury related at least once a week.
It was believed that part of the problem there was when he was with the Houston Texans is that he didn’t want to practice much. As a result, he has an Allen Iverson-type reputation in that he shows up for games but doesn’t think he needs to practice much to be great.
Hopkins debunked that notion this week when he spoke to reporters after practice, calling himself “a dog” who is willing to be physical for his team, who doesn’t complain a lot and likes working.
” I like grinding. I love practice,” he said. “I think a big misconception about somebody like me is just he doesn’t like practicing.”
He went on to explain he has had a procedure in his ankle and it is something to monitor.
“I have what is called a tightrope in my ankle and a lot of players don’t go out and perform very well after that,” he said. “I’ve had it in there for three years.”
It is a type of ankle surgery that uses a cord instead of a screw to mobilize the ankle. It allows more natural motion after the surgery than a screw.
Of course, it would appear that with such a thing in his leg, he has to pay attention to how he feels.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury has said on multiple occasions that Hopkins knows what to do to prepare his body. When he rests, it isn’t because he is injured but he is managing his ankle load.
Hopkins seems appreciative of Kingsbury’s approach.
“I guess sometimes coaches are smart about how they manage my hours, but I love competing,” he said.
Hopkins doesn’t have a problem with hard practices.
“If I can go out there and compete every practice and we go full pads, I’m the guy who would be the advocate of that. For me, I just like playing football. I like competing.”
Hopkins proved he can perform at the highest level with a managed practice load. He set a franchise record for receptions in a season when he had no offseason in a new offense.
So while he doesn’t always practice, there appears to be a reason for it.
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