Henry doubles down on Hopkins 'washed' chatter as Ravens lean on veteran receiver

Derrick Henry delivered a blunt message Friday about the ongoing debate over DeAndre Hopkins’s level of play, saying he wants the chatter to continue. Hopkins, 33, signed with the Ravens on a one-year, $5 million deal in March and has opened the season with two touchdowns in two games, signaling that Baltimore can still rely on a veteran receiver. Henry told ESPN the ‘washed’ talk should persist because it has been working for the Ravens, a comment that underscored the players’ willingness to lean into a storyline that has followed Hopkins through multiple stopovers in the league.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson also weighed in on the debate, saying Hopkins is proving the critics wrong after Baltimore’s 41-17 win over the Browns on Sunday. Through two games, Hopkins has 99 receiving yards, second on the team behind Zay Flowers’ 218. Hopkins did not start either game to begin the season, but Baltimore’s offense has shown a willingness to expand his role, with offensive coordinator Todd Monken saying the plan is to have him on the field more as the weeks progress.

"We’re just going to continue to get him up to speed," Monken said. "With every day, I think his packages are going to continue to grow as we keep going and moving forward. He’s a tremendous football player. The more we can get him on the field, the better we’re going to be."

Hopkins was drafted by the Texans with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He accumulated 8,602 receiving yards in Houston and earned three All-Pro selections during his stint with the Texans. After Houston, Hopkins spent time with the Cardinals, Titans and Chiefs before joining Baltimore this season, adding to a resume that includes multiple 1,000-yard seasons and one of the league’s most trusted pair of hands.

Hopkins' addition is part of Baltimore’s approach to offset the absence of a long-term number-one target while developing a cohesive group around Jackson. The Ravens’ 41-17 win over Cleveland provided a test case for how Hopkins can be integrated, especially in critical moments where big catches and reliable hands can swing drives. Flowers remains the team’s top pass catcher through two games, but Hopkins’ presence brings a veteran dimension that coaches say will improve as he continues to acclimate.

Hopkins’ veteran experience could help Baltimore in late-season matchups, especially if he remains healthy and integrated into the offense. The ongoing dialogue surrounding Hopkins’ role and effectiveness underscores the Ravens’ willingness to deploy him in multiple packages as the season unfolds and the team looks to build depth for a playoff push.