Hopkins Lashes Out at Pundits Criticizing His Practice Routine

Despite his Pro Bowl-level of of play for Arizona, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins still has critics over his commitment to practice.

“You know, for those people who don’t understand, and who just watch. There’s a reason that I play football and they watch,” Hopkins said addressing the media. “I charge to come on shows but I give a discount to come on the show for those people…And tell those people who say I don’t practice to come watch me play the game.”

Hopkins has appeared on the injury report almost every week this season, but has played in every game this season. With an injury designation each week, Hopkins continued to miss practice throughout the entire season. Despite his multiple absences at practice, it hasn’t affected his performance. He currently leads the league with 1,324 receiving yards with two weeks to go. For his career, he has missed just two games in his eight-year career.

He is 248 yards and 12 receptions away from a career high in those categories respectively. On top of that, he boasts another career high in catch percentage at 74.6%.

Already named to his fifth Pro Bowl, he is on pace for his fourth consecutive All-Pro first team selection.

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The complaints about showing up and making an effort during practice go beyond just Hopkins in the Arizona desert. Earlier this season, after a 38-28 loss to the LA Rams, FOX Sports analyst and former quarterback Brock Huard spoke about Kyler Murray’s struggles and how it relates to his effort in practice.

“Some of what I was hearing coming out of there is that Kyler is laser-focused on Sunday, he loves to compete, but that laser focus is not there Monday through Saturday and I think you’ve seen that show up on Sundays,” Huard said. “Everybody competes on Sunday. Everybody loves their paycheck. Everybody loves to play. But if you want to be great, you’ve got to compete on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday on the practice field like it’s the most important thing in your life and that is where I think he has the most area to grow.”

This could simply be how head coach Kliff Kingsbury runs his team.

So far, Arizona is in line for the 7th and final playoff spot with an 8-6 record. The 7-7 Chicago Bears are breathing down the Cardinals’ back for the final spot with two weeks left to play.

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