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DeAndre Hopkins said in a statement on Monday he was “confused and shocked” by his positive performance-enhancing drug test, which led to a six-game suspension.
The Arizona Cardinals star reacted to the suspension in a tweet.
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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches a touchdown pass against the Titans, Sept. 12, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
“In my 10-year NFL career, I have never tested positive for using performance enhancing drugs,” the statement read.
“To learn that my November test came back with trace elements of a banned substance, I was confused and shocked.
“I am very mindful of what I put in my body and have always taken a holistic approach, so I am working with my team to investigate how this could’ve happened. But even as careful as I have been, clearly I wasn’t careful enough. For that I apologize to Cardinals fans, my teammates, and the entire Cardinals organization. I never want to let my team down.
“I fully intend to get to the bottom of this. As soon as I have more information I will share it.”
It’s unclear what he tested positive for. ESPN first reported the suspension.
Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans at State Farm Stadium on Oct. 24, 2021, in Glendale, Arizona. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today Sports)
“DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals has been suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2022 regular season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances,” an NFL spokesperson said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.
“Hopkins is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games. He will be allowed to return to the Cardinals’ active roster following the team’s sixth regular-season game.”
Hopkins is a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro wide receiver. He is about to enter his third season with the Cardinals after Arizona acquired him in a blockbuster 2020 trade with the Houston Texans.
Since then, he’s been one of the top targets for Kyler Murray. He played all 16 games in his first season with Arizona and was selected to a Pro Bowl. He had 115 catches for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns. He only managed to play in 10 games in 2021 due to injuries. He had 42 catches for 572 yards and eight touchdowns.
Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins reacts against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 13,, 2021, in Glendale, Arizona. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today Sports)
His targets were sure to go up after Christian Kirk left and signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. But the reported suspension now throws everything into disarray.
Arizona did acquire wide receiver Marquise Brown from the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday during the NFL Draft. Baltimore traded Brown and a third-round pick to the Cardinals for their No. 23 pick. Baltimore used the 23rd pick to select center Taylor Linderbaum.
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The Cardinals didn’t draft a wide receiver.