DeAndre Hopkins is in the news again, this time with an update on the substances that caused his suspension.
Just when you think the drama is over for the Arizona Cardinals, the football gods decide to go, “guess again!”. DeAndre Hopkins was in the news again for an updated memo on the substances that caused his six-game suspension.
The quote from the NFL Players Association is below:
NFLPA @nflpa statement on DeAndre Hopkins @DeAndreHopkins pic.twitter.com/iilXJCzYqu
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 19, 2022
What does this mean for DeAndre Hopkins and the Arizona Cardinals?
Basically, what all of that is saying is that the NFL has sided with Hopkins on the fact that Hopkins claimed never to directly ingesting or have taken the substance Ostarine. The messed-up part is that even with their siding with Hopkins, the NFL is still upholding his suspension.
While it’s important to recognize the rules and agree that any positive test is a positive test, it doesn’t make sense for the NFL to come out and say this. Could this leave any possibility for a false positive test?
But for what it’s worth, this is a confusing statement. I’m no banned substance expert, and until there is more clarity from a more educated person on the topic, I won’t try to infer anymore.
Hopkins originally tested positive for the substance during the regular season. It wasn’t until April that Hopkins stopped his appeal process, which led to the Pro Bowl wide receiver being suspended for the first six games of the season.
Hopkins is the first Arizona Cardinals player since Patrick Peterson to be suspended for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Hopkins will be eligible to return in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football.
We’ll see how the Cardinals’ record ends up, and for now, just know that nothing has really changed in the NFL. Hopkins is still suspended.