Houston’s Hopkins to miss first career game

Published 1:26 pm Friday, December 29, 2017

By Kristie Rieken

The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Houston receiver DeAndre Hopkins will miss the first game of his career on Sunday because of a calf injury.

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Hopkins has appeared in 79 straight games since he was taken in the first round of the 2013 draft. He will miss the season finale against Indianapolis.

He says: “It’s my first game since I’ve been in the NFL that I’m going to miss. So I’m pretty upset about that.”

Hopkins has had a great season despite Houston’s quarterback woes. He leads the NFL with a franchise-record 13 touchdown catches. His 1,378 yards receiving are second in the league to Antonio Brown.

“I don’t know too many players that can say they haven’t missed a game since they’ve been playing in the NFL,” Hopkins said. “And to me I take that seriously because I take care of my body, that’s the way I prepare not to miss a game, not to let my team down.”