Will Hopkins Play for Chiefs This Week, Which Number Did He Pick?
By: Robert MacRae October 25, 2024

The Kansas City Chiefs officially added DeAndre Hopkins on Thursday, acquiring the former Clemson star and longtime NFL wideout in a trade with the Tennessee Titans.

So, will Hopkins play for his new team this weekend?

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid met with the media Thursday and hinted that Hopkins may well suit up.

“It could be this weekend,” Reid said.

“Why wait, right?” he added. “If he can handle it without putting him in a bad position.”

Based on Reid’s comment, it sounds like Hopkins is likely to see action for Kansas City on Sunday when the Chiefs take on the Raiders in Las Vegas.

Regardless of when the five-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler takes the field for the Chiefs, he will be sporting the No. 8.

Hopkins explained to the media in his introductory press conference Thursday why he chose to wear that digit, after previously only donning No. 10 during his 12-year NFL career.

The 32-year-old picked No. 8 to pay tribute to the late, great Kobe Bryant.

“Kobe Bryant, one of my favorite athletes of all time,” Hopkins said. “I knew if I ever got the chance to wear No. 8… Just like when I picked No. 10, (Lionel) Messi was my favorite.”

Hopkins played in all six games for the 1-5 Titans this season, catching 15 passes for 173 yards with one touchdown.

Overall in his NFL career, Hopkins has played in 168 games. He currently has 943 career receptions for 12,528 yards and 79 touchdowns. He has averaged 13.3 yards per reception in his career to this point.

Hopkins is happy he’ll get the chance to play in important games with the Chiefs, the two-time defending Super Bowl Champions who currently stand as the lone undefeated team in the NFL at 6-0.

“I’ve got to thank (Titans general manager) Ran (Carthon) and his staff for trading me to a contender, first of all, because those guys could’ve traded me anywhere,” Hopkins said.

“It means a lot (to play for a contender),” Hopkins added. “It takes your game to a different level. It takes your focus, your drive knowing that you’re playing for something. It takes your game to a different level. I haven’t played meaningful football in a couple years since we probably started 8-0 in Arizona. So, it takes your game to a different level.”

After his celebrated career at Clemson, Hopkins was taken in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans with the No. 27 pick. He spent his first seven seasons with the Texans before heading to Arizona in 2020.

Following his stint with the Cardinals, Hopkins joined the Titans in 2023, when he caught 75 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. Seven times Hopkins has recorded 1,000-plus yards in an NFL season, including a career best 1,572 yards in 2018.

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