Report: Hopkins interested in returning to Texans
Free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is open to the possibility of re-joining the Houston Texans, a source told the Houston Chronicle's Brooks Kubena.
Hopkins spent his first seven years in the league as a member of the Texans, recording 632 receptions for 8,602 yards and 54 touchdowns. The 2013 first-rounder earned four Pro Bowl nods with Houston.
The Texans traded Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals during the 2020 offseason. Arizona officially released the three-time first-team All-Pro on Tuesday after three seasons with the club.
The 30-year-old earned a Pro Bowl selection in his first campaign with the Cardinals before suffering a season-ending ACL injury just 10 games into 2021. He hauled in 64 catches for 717 yards and three scores last season following a six-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.
Houston has over $16 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, but hasn't finished signing its 2023 draft class. Hopkins' last contract was a two-year, $54.5-million extension signed with the Cardinals in 2020.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans recently said the Texans would consider all options when asked about free-agent defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney returning to Houston.
"We always look at any players that can help us win," he said. "I'll never throw anyone off the table. Everything is an option for me."
The Texans are amid a roster makeover after selecting quarterback C.J. Stroud second overall in the 2023 draft. Hopkins' addition would provide the rookie passer with another veteran target alongside a receiving corps featuring Robert Woods, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and tight end Dalton Schultz.