Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins will hold out for new contract

HOUSTON – The Houston Texans will hold their first training camp practice on Sunday morning and it looks like star receiver DeAndre Hopkins will not be there.

KPRC 2 Sports confirmed Hopkins will hold out while seeking a new contract.

Hopkins is entering his fourth year and is coming off a spectacular season that earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

Hopkins is playing under his rookie contract signed in 2013 as the team's first-round selection. The team exercised the fifth-year option on his contract in April, meaning he has two years remaining on his contract.

Texans general manager Rick Smith issued a statement Saturday that read: "We are disappointed DeAndre has elected not to report to training camp with the rest of his teammates. He has expressed his position regarding his contract status, and we have been clear with both he and his representatives of ours. Our focus is on the 2016 season and all of our collective efforts and attention with be centered on that endeavor."

He held a football camp in Houston just last week and addressed his contract situation.

Hopkins, asked about the range in salary he was looking for, said, "I don't know about a range, I just want to be treated for what I'm worth, that's fair to say, right?"

"That's between my agents and the Texans," Hopkins said about the negotiations and how he hoped things would play out.

"I love this city, I don't want to play anywhere else but here. The rest will work itself out hopefully," he said.

He could face a $40,000 fine for each day of camp missed. Hopkins is also due for a $445,000 roster bonus on Wednesday, but would only receive it if he's in camp.

Hopkins finished third in the NFL last season with 111 receptions and 1,521 yards while catching passes from four different starting quarterbacks.

He has 3,533 career receiving yards in three seasons, which already places him fourth in team history.

 

DeAndre Hopkins Overview | PointAfter