Before the Houston Texans wild-card game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins made it known he would be playing in honor of – and donating his game check – to the family of Jazmine Barnes, a seven-year-old victim of gun violence. While his final stat line for the game wasn’t all that impressive, given the ridiculous season he had. But given his promise, it certainly is noteworthy that Hopkins toughed it out to play through the shoulder sprain.
Hopkins ended with five catches for 37 yards in the Texans’ 21-7 loss to the Colts.
DeAndre Hopkins told me he suffered a grade 3 AC joint sprain in his right shoulder in the first half. played through a lot of pain in the second half. Wouldn’t come out. Needed help getting his shirt on. Couldn’t shake anyone’s hand with his right hand.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 6, 2019
After the game, the 26-year-old receiver was asked if he thought about sitting out after the injury to his right shoulder occurred in the first half. His replied with a definitive “No,” and added, “[Only] if I would have broke a leg or something.”
Saturday’s playoff game put two of the NFL’s hottest teams against each other. After starting the season 0-4, Houston only lost once more to finish 11-5 and take the AFC South crown. Indianapolis, similarly, rallied after a meager start to the season (at one point they were 1-5) and make the playoffs with a 10-6 record.
On the season, Hopkins again asserted his place amongst the NFL’s best pass-catchers. He finished the 2018 season with 115 receptions on 163 targets for 1,572 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was also recently named to the AP’s All-Pro team. But perhaps most impressive, especially considering his crazy production, is that Hopkins was not ascribed a single drop on the season. Every pass he got his hands on, he caught.
Such is life in the NFL, though. A season full of near-perfect play can be undone by one little mishap, one untimely injury. No matter how good the intentions.
