DeAndre Hopkins responds to 6-game PED suspension

After being suspended the first six games of the 2022 season for a PED violation, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins released a statement.

On Monday, May 2, news broke that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was given a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Hours later, the wideout responded.

Hopkins released a statement through his official Twitter account, saying that he is “confused and shocked” that a test back in November came back with trace elements of a banned substance. You can view Hopkins’ full statement below:

DeAndre Hopkins responds to 6-game PED suspension

Prior to Hopkins’ statement, his brand manager, Doug Sanders, texted ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter that they were shocked because the receiver is “extremely diligent about what he puts in his body.” Sanders mentions that they are going to test products that he used and would release information when they have it.

You can read Sanders’ text by clicking on Schefter’s tweet below:

Hopkins withdrew his appeal of the suspension.

The wide receiver missed seven games last season due to hamstring and knee injuries. He last took the field during the team’s Week 14 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Through his two seasons with the Cardinals, Hopkins caught 157-of-224 targets for 1,979 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Cardinals will be without Hopkins for the first six games of the season. But, the team did acquire Marquise “Hollywood” Brown during the first-round of the NFL Draft in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens, who will likely see a ton of targets in Hopkins’ absence.