OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is unfazed by the criticism directed at wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. In fact, he encourages it.
“Hopefully they keep calling it ‘finished’ because that’s been working,” Henry said with a smile after Friday’s practice. “We need it.”
Derrick HenryAt 33 years old, Hopkins has had a revitalized start with the Ravens. In his first two games with Baltimore, the receiver, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, has stood out for his spectacular catches, scoring touchdowns of 23 and 29 yards.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was the first to mention the external criticism of Hopkins for being “finished” after the 41-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
“But he’s proving otherwise,” Jackson said. “The guy has huge hands to catch the ball, with one hand, with two fingers, it really doesn’t matter.”
In the Week 1 loss against Buffalo, Hopkins recorded his fourth one-handed touchdown reception since 2017, tying for the most in the NFL during that period. In the win over the Browns, Hopkins caught a 23-yard reception from Jackson with very little separation in the end zone.
When the Ravens play the Detroit Lions on Monday night, Hopkins will look to become the first Ravens player to achieve a touchdown reception in each of Baltimore’s first three games of the season.El receptor de los Ravens, DeAndre Hopkins, celebra después de anotar contra los Browns durante su encuentro de la Semana 2 en Baltimore. AP Photo/Nick Wass
“I think he’s done this his whole career,” Henry said of Hopkins’ ability to make plays at this stage of his career. “Everybody knows that stigma, when you get older, all of a sudden, something has changed.”
Derrick HenryHopkins signed a one-year, $5 million contract with Baltimore this offseason after a difficult 2024. With the Titans and Chiefs, Hopkins had career lows of 38.1 yards per reception and 10.9 yards per catch.
With the Ravens, Hopkins has made a big impact with little playing time. He was on the field for 18 plays in Week 1 and 10 plays in Week 2.
“We’re just going to keep honing it,” Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “With each day, I think his packages will continue to grow as we go. And we have to make that the case, because he’s a tremendous football player. The more we can have him on the field, the better we’ll be moving forward.”
