Start Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore, A.J. Green or Zach Ertz With DeAndre Hopkins Out? Expert Fantasy Advice

Amid the frenzy of COVID-19 news on Wednesday, the Cardinals announced star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will miss the remainder of the regular season with a sprained knee.

Hopkins had been a frequent flyer on the injury report all season. He missed three games due to a hamstring injury. His absence should boost the target share for the remaining healthy Arizona receivers this week in Detroit. 

Which Cardinals To Start/Sit In Week 15 

Start Christian Kirk 

Of the Cardinals' receivers, I feel the most confident in Kirk with Hopkins out. He isn't the flashiest name, but the Year 4 wideout is averaging 10.3 fantasy points per game in half PPR. He leads Arizona in targets, catches and yards and trails only Hopkins in touchdowns. He should be considered a WR3 with WR2 upside on the road against the Lions.

Start A.J. Green 

Green is a close second to Kirk, especially on the heels of one of his best games of the season. He caught seven of 10 targets for 104 yards against the Rams, but has struggled with consistency. He has six games with eight or fewer fantasy points in half PPR — one of which came in Week 13 when he caught one pass for 14 yards against the Bears. He is also a WR3 with WR2 upside this week.

Sit/Hold Rondale Moore

Moore finds himself on the outside looking in right now as the team's clear No. 3. The rookie had a fantastic Week 2 against the Vikings, but hasn't done much since then. He has played in every game but trails Kirk, Green and Hopkins in targets, yards and touchdowns. His yards per catch is the worst of the quartet, but interestingly, 418 of his 426 receiving yards have been after the catch. He is wildly talented, but remains hampered by the crowded receiving corps. He will undoubtedly see a boost in targets with Hopkins out, which is why I want to sit but hold onto Moore.

Bonus: Start Zach Ertz

Ertz has been largely disappointing since joining the Cardinals midseason, save a two-touchdown explosion in Week 11. He is coming off of a lackluster Week 14 in which he caught five of seven targets for 42 yards. He, too, should benefit from Hopkins missing time from a target perspective and is a top-12 play this week.