An injury to Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this year isn’t as devastating had it occurred a year ago. The Titans offense is far better positioned today to offset any missed time by the veteran pass-catcher after the free-agent signings of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.

According to Paul Kuharsky, Hopkins suffered a strained knee Wednesday, with a four-to-six-week timetable on a potential return. The injury could linger into the start of the regular season and shake up the Titans’ wide receiver rotation to a degree.

A season ago, Titans quarterbacks targeted Hopkins 92 more times than any other wide receiver. So, general manager Ran Carthon lured Ridley by offering the 29-year-old a four-year, $92 million deal. Even if Hopkins is healthy to start the season, his target share will drastically decrease.

In the meantime, Hopkins’ absence will create extra opportunities for 2022 first-round pick Treylon Burks.

“I think Treylon has really grown up,” Ran Carthon told reporters. “… He came in and he really took to heart the conversation that he had with myself and coach [Brian Callahan]. And he’s completely bought in. … And, again, we added Tyler, we added Calvin, obviously D-Hop was here. But for a young guy like that, he has vets that he can learn from.”