DeAndre Hopkins backtracks on PED suspension

DeAndre Hopkins is still trying to get back from the six-game suspension earlier than expected.

Once DeAndre Hopkins dropped his appeal process of a positive test for PEDs, the Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals wants to have his suspension reduced.

Hopkins mentioned that the substance was Ostarine, a selective androgen receptor modulator. The FDA, per WebMD.com, does not approve it, but what Ostarine does is that it binds to the androgen receptors and tells them to grow.

It is often found in bodybuilding supplements and is also used to help breast cancer patients, but even then, it’s not guaranteed to work. The USADA also says it’s used to combat muscle-wasting diseases.

So why would DeAndre Hopkins want to lobby for fewer games on his suspension after dropping his appeal process? Would it work somewhat similar to what happens when someone pleads guilty to a crime (sometimes they get a lesser sentence)?

DeAndre Hopkins, we love the effort, but it’s time to take the six games

I want Hopkins back on the field as much as he wants to be, but at this point, it’s way too late in the process. The NFL would get a bad look if they reduced his suspension just because he asked, even if it was a 0.1 percent makeup of Hopkins’ drug test.

If it somehow works and Hopkins is back earlier, then great! It would be such a Roger Goodell-NFL era thing to happen. But trying to continue this fight is a bad look for the organization, especially after Steve Keim’s “Extreme DUI” and other bad moments (Ricky Seals-Jones, Zaven Collins).

For Hopkins, it’s a great chance to get healthy, so he doesn’t have that hamstring issue that hampered his season on a touchdown catch vs. the Packers last year.

We need Hopkins healthy, and as hard as it is, he needs to sit for those six games. After that, though, he can help us forget about it and play at the top of his game.