Derrick Henry says to keep the comments coming.
In response to the notion that Ravens wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has lost a step over the past few NFL seasons, Henry said that he wants the discourse to continue.
“Hopefully, they keep calling him ‘washed’ because that s–t has been working,” Henry said Friday, per ESPN. “We need it.”
The Ravens signed Hopkins, 33, to a one-year contract worth $5 million in March, a deal that is paying off so far.
Henry’s comments come after Hopkins’ solid start with the Ravens this season, already recording two touchdowns through as many games.
“Everybody knows that stigma, when you get up in age, all of a sudden, something has changed,” Henry added.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson also brought up the “washed” comments surrounding Hopkins, saying that the five-time Pro Bowler is proving them wrong.
“But he’s showing otherwise,” Jackson said following Baltimore’s 41-17 win over the Browns on Sunday. “The guy has huge hands to catch the ball — one hand, two fingers — it doesn’t really matter.”
Despite not starting either game for the Ravens to start the season, Hopkins’ 99 receiving yards are the second-most for Baltimore, with Zay Flowers leading the way with 218.
“We’re just going to continue to get him up to speed,” Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “With every day, I think his packages are going to continue to grow as we keep going and moving forward.
“And we have to have that be the case, because 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 racked up 8602 receiving yards in Houston, earning himself three All-Pro team selections.
Following his seven-year tenure in Houston, Hopkins spent time with the Cardinals, Titans and Chiefs before joining Baltimore this season.
