Reports: Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins expected to miss rest of regular season from sprained knee
PHOENIX — The chances of DeAndre Hopkins returning to the Cardinals for their final four regular season games are slim.
ESPN's Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday the Cardinals' top wide receiver is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the regular season because of his sprained knee suffered against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday.
That news came after Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters on Wednesday Hopkins will have second opinion on his knee, following his MRI results on Tuesday.
NFL Network's Ian Rapaport also reported Hopkins will not participate in their walk-through on Wednesday. Hopkins was not on the field during their final possession late in the fourth quarter against L.A.
It's uncertain if Hopkins will need knee surgery, and might return for the postseason.
Hopkins was sidelined for all three of Arizona's games in November because of his hamstring injury.
In addition, Kingsbury said James Conner is day-to-day following their MRIs on Tuesday.
Running back Conner was seen limping off the field after the game on Monday from his ankle injury after the Rams.
Kingsbury also said he's still unsure about the possible return of Cardinals' two other starter RB Chase Edmonds (ankle) and starting left guard Justin Pugh (calf) for their game against the Lions. He says they will be tested in their walk-through today and at practice this week.
Edmonds and Pugh both suffered their injuries against the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 7 and have missed their past four games. Edmonds was designated to return from the injured reserve last Thursday, returned to practice that day and Friday, but was not activated before their game against L.A.
Pugh has not been placed on the IR, and missed practice for the majority of November until he returned to limited participation in last Thursday through Saturday.
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Cardinals still looking to fix home woes
Home is where the heartache is for the Cardinals (10-3) and their Red Sea fans this season.
The Cardinals still lead the NFC West after the Los Angeles Rams handed them their first divisional loss (4-1) this season on Monday. But Arizona dropping three of their five home games this season road records is a stark contrast to their 7-0 road record.
"We'd definitely like to get that figured out before we wrap this season up. There's no question," Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said to reporters about their home woes on Wednesday. "We'll continue to try and address those things, and then hopefully the next one we can play one of our best games."
Before their loss to L.A., Kingsbury spoke about wanting to finish the regular season stronger at home on Dec. 6.
Despite having the NFL's fourth-best scoring defense allowing 19.5 points per game, the Caridnals have allowed over 30 points at home in three of their five games. That includes their 34-33 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 19, Arizona's 34-10 blowout loss to the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 14, and their 30-23 loss to the Rams.
Also, the Cardinals are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the league's third-lowest at 13 turnovers, but 11 of them Arizona committed at home.
Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz was unsure about their home problems. He's played in each of those losses since he was traded from Philadelphia to Arizona two months ago on Wednesday.
"We just gotta plugging, keep fighting away. I thought that the energy from the fans on Monday night was the best environment I’ve been in since I’ve been here," Ertz said.
"We just didn’t make enough plays at the end of the day on Monday night. The Rams made more plays. It’s a big credit to them, obviously. But I’m confident we’re gonna fix home 'struggles,' per se. It’s definitely an advantage in the NFL when you play at home, especially later in the year. So I have no diminished confidence playing at home versus playing on the road."
The Cardinals have two home games left against the Indianapolis Colts on Christmas, and their second matchup against NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 9 to close the regular season.
Arizona's next game is at the Detroit Lions on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Reach the reporter at dana.scott@azcentral.com. Follow his Twitter @iam_DanaScott.