NASHVILLE – According to a report from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is set to play on Sunday in the regular season opener against the Chicago Bears.

Hopkins is recovering from a partially torn MCL suffered in late July. Week 1 has always been the target for his recovery, but the question has been if Hopkins was comfortable playing through the pain.

The veteran wide out was involved all week in Titans practices, but his status remained up in the air on Friday's injury report.

#Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins (questionable, knee) is set to play Sunday at Chicago, per source, though how much he plays is uncertain and could come down to pain management.

Hopkins revealed to reporters this week that he’s fighting through an MCL tear.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 7, 2024

It's not shocking to see Hopkins suiting up for Tennessee on Sunday, but the question moving forward will be how limited Hopkins is. Given the nature of the injury he is recovering from and how important it is to avoid surgery, the Titans need to "protect Hopkins from himself," as wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert said earlier this week.

Hopkins told me in the locker room on Thursday that he feels great. He mentioned that while he is in pain, playing football in the NFL means playing through pain. 

The Titans just need to hope things don't get any worse. But it will be good to have him out there on Sunday. It will be an asset to Will Levis in a hostile road environment. 

History favors Titans over Bears, but this year might be different

Is 2024 the exception to the rule?