Derrick Henry Backs DeAndre Hopkins Amid “Washed” Criticism

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is rallying behind wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who has faced criticism for being “washed” as he approaches the age of 34. Following practice on Friday, Henry expressed his support, indicating that the ongoing trash talk may actually be beneficial. “Hopefully, they keep calling him ‘washed’ because that [s—] has been working,” Henry said with a grin. “We need it.”

At 33 years old, Hopkins has made a striking impact since joining the Ravens, demonstrating his skill with impressive performances in the first two games of the season. In these games, the five-time Pro Bowl receiver has showcased his ability to make tough contested catches, scoring touchdowns of 23 and 29 yards. His quarterback, Lamar Jackson, was the first to address the outside criticism after the Ravens’ convincing 41-17 victory against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday.

Hopkins Defies Expectations

Jackson noted, “But he’s showing otherwise,” emphasizing Hopkins’ remarkable hands and catching ability. The wide receiver notably made his fourth one-handed touchdown catch since 2017 during the season opener against the Buffalo Bills, a feat that ties him for the most in the NFL during that period. In the recent game against the Browns, Hopkins executed a 23-yard reception from Jackson with minimal separation in the end zone.

As the Ravens prepare to face the Detroit Lions on Monday night, Hopkins is on track to become the first Ravens player to record a touchdown catch in each of the team’s first three games of a season. “I think he has done this his whole career,” Henry remarked about Hopkins’ ability to deliver at this stage in his career. “Everybody knows that stigma, when you get up in age, all of a sudden, something has changed.”

New Beginnings in Baltimore

Hopkins signed a one-year, $5 million contract with Baltimore this offseason after facing challenges in the previous year. During his time with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs, he recorded career lows of 38.1 receiving yards per game and an average of 10.9 yards per catch. However, since joining the Ravens, he has made a significant impact despite limited playing time, participating in just 18 snaps in Week 1 and 10 snaps in Week 2.

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken acknowledged Hopkins’ potential, stating, “We’re just going to continue to get him up to speed. With every day, I think his packages are going to continue to grow as we keep going and moving forward.” He added, “We have to have that be the case, because he’s a tremendous football player. The more we can get him on the field, the better we’re going to be moving forward.”

As the Ravens gear up for their upcoming match against the Lions, all eyes will be on Hopkins to see if he can continue to defy the critics and contribute to the team’s success in the early stages of the season.