Who Should I Start? DeAndre Hopkins or Christian Kirk

Tuesday, August 19, 3:32 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) returned to training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Banner. Hopkins was held out of practice as a precaution on Monday and will return to the team's first padded action since the second preseason game. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Baltimore hold Nuk out of the preseason finale on Saturday against the Washington Commanders, but the 33-year-old should be ready to roll for the Week 1 regular-season clash on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Buffalo Bills. The former first-rounder (27th overall) in 2013 by the Houston Texans out of Clemson is a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, but he had only 56 grabs for 610 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games (eight starts) with the Titans and Chiefs a year ago. In a run-first offense as likely the fourth target for QB Lamar Jackson, Hopkins will be avoided in 12-team leagues.

Friday, August 15, 1:06 PM

Cole Thompson of Texans Wire writes that Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk stood out during the team's two-minute offense in joint practice with th Carolina Panthers on Thursday and "has been the most consistent receiver in camp not named Nico Collins." Kirk is locking up the WR2 spot behind Collins, and "no one expected Kirk to be just an average receiver when the Texans traded for him this offseason." The 28-year-old's fantasy stock was down following an injury-plagued final season in Jacksonville in 2024 in which he played in only eight games and caught 27 passes for 379 yards and one touchdowns. It also didn't help that Houston drafted rookies Jayden Higgins (second round) and Jaylin Noel (third round) back in April. Kirk's fantasy demise might be premature, though, which could make him an excellent value pick later in fantasy drafts for WR depth.