Titans get relieving news before Thursday Night Football
NASHVILLE — Breathe easy, Tennessee Titans fans. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Thursday morning that Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is expected to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in primetime. Hopkins was listed as questionable on the Titans' final injury report with a toe injury after missing practice on Wednesday and being limited earlier in […]
NASHVILLE — Breathe easy, Tennessee Titans fans. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Thursday morning that Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is expected to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers in primetime.
Hopkins was listed as questionable on the Titans' final injury report with a toe injury after missing practice on Wednesday and being limited earlier in the week.
The 31-year-old wide out is coming off of his best game in a Titans uniform. Against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8, Hopkins and rookie quarterback Will Levis connected on four passes for 128 yards and three touchdowns.
Going against an intimidating Pittsburgh Steelers defense and pass rush on Thursday night, there is going to be a big emphasis on creating seperation quickly and getting the ball out of Levis' hands. Obviously Hopkins' presence will help facilitate that.
He might be 31. He might be in his 11th NFL season. He might have been written off by a number of opposing teams in free agency. But Hopkins has proved over the last two months that he's still one of the best receivers in football. His 16.3 yards per reception is the highest of his career and he's currently pacing for 75 catches and over 1,200 receiving yards.
Perhaps the best thing Hopkins brings to the table is good chemistry with a rookie quarterback that has had limited opportunities to play alongside the first team. Levis was injured for a good portion of training camp and the preseason. He worked on scout team during the first seven weeks of the regular season and was inactive on game days. But he immediately clicked with Hopkins and there's a reason for that.
Levis is the 16th different starting quarterback that Hopkins has played with during his NFL career. The man just knows how to develop chemistry with a quarterback. That's invaluable for a rookie in Levis' shoes in a rowdy environment like Pittsburgh.
Hopkins will be out there on Thursday night as the Titans try to claw back to 4-4 and make a push for an AFC playoff spot. This game in Pittsburgh is massive.
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