Derrick Henry Wants Opponents to Keep Calling DeAndre Hopkins ‘Washed’ as Ravens’ Offense Soars
Posted on Sep 23, 2025 by Daxton Haverford
Henry’s Playful Defense of Hopkins
During a locker‑room press session on Friday, Baltimore’s 6‑foot‑5, 247‑pound running back Derrick Henry was asked whether the chatter about teammate DeAndre Hopkins being “washed up” bothered him. He cracked a grin and replied, “Nah, I think he’s done it his whole career. Everybody knows that stigma. You get up in age, and all of a sudden, something has changed, but hopefully, they keep calling him washed because it’s been working. We need it.”
What Henry meant was simple: the doubters are feeding the Ravens’ confidence. By treating Hopkins as an underdog, the defense has to prepare for a guy who’s still got one‑handed catches in his back pocket. Henry’s comment shows a veteran’s swagger, but it also signals a deeper bond forged back in Tennessee when the two shared the backfield‑wideout combo on the Titans.
Back then, Henry and Hopkins complemented each other perfectly—Henry’s bruising runs opened lanes for the speedy receiver, while Hopkins’ knack for big‑play catches kept defenses honest. The pair re‑united in Baltimore this offseason on a one‑year, $5 million deal, and the early results suggest the chemistry is intact.
Early Season Impact and What Lies Ahead
The numbers speak loudly. In the first two games of the 2025 NFL season, the Ravens have amassed 81 points, a total that would have dazzled any high‑octane offense. Henry has contributed 192 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while DeAndre Hopkins has snapped four catches for 99 yards and two scores, all on under 30 snaps combined.
Week 1 versus the Buffalo Bills saw Hopkins on the field for just 18 snaps. He snagged two receptions for 35 yards, one of which landed in the end zone. The next week, against a woeful Cleveland defense, he logged ten snaps, hauled in two catches for 64 yards, and crossed the goal line again. That efficiency—four catches, two touchdowns, 99 yards—places him second only to rookie Zay Flowers, who leads the team with 218 yards.
Lamar Jackson, the quarterback who can both flash his legs and launch rockets, praised Hopkins: “He’s got huge hands. One hand, two fingers—doesn’t matter. He’s showing everyone that the ‘washed up’ label is just noise.” Jackson’s endorsement adds weight because he knows exactly what it takes to make a receiver thrive in Baltimore’s run‑heavy scheme.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has hinted that Hopkins’ role will only grow. “We will keep working to get him acclimated,” Monken said. “With each passing day, I believe his role will expand as we progress. It’s essential that this happens, as he is an outstanding player. The more we can include him in our game plan, the more successful we will be.”
The coaching staff’s optimism isn’t blind. They recognize that Hopkins’ limited snap count is partly a strategic choice—Baltimore wants to preserve his health while testing how his route‑running meshes with Jackson’s improvisational style. As the season unfolds, you can expect more target volume, especially on third‑down situations where his reliable hands become a safety valve.
Fans have taken to the “washed up” chant as a badge of honor. Social media feeds are littered with memes pairing Hopkins’ iconic catches with the phrase “still not washed.” The narrative has turned into a rallying cry that fuels the locker room’s swagger.
The next test comes Monday night when Baltimore travels to Detroit for a prime‑time showdown. The Lions’ secondary has struggled against veteran receivers this year, making it a perfect stage for Hopkins to silence skeptics. Henry, meanwhile, is banking on the defense focusing on the run, which could open more lanes for Hopkins to exploit.
Looking ahead, the Ravens’ offensive balance is unusual for a team that has traditionally leaned on the run. With Henry anchoring the ground attack and Hopkins emerging as a high‑efficiency threat in the air, opponents will have to respect both dimensions. That dual‑threat could force defensive coordinators into a dilemma: stack the box and risk big plays over the middle, or drop into coverage and give Henry more room to run.
If the early trends hold—Henry’s booming yards after contact and Hopkins’ concise, touchdown‑rich receptions—Baltimore could be on track for one of the most potent offenses of the decade. The ripple effect of Henry’s light‑hearted jab about the “washed up” label might just be the extra motivation the team needs to keep the momentum rolling.