After Cincinnati Bengals center Trey Hopkins tore his ACL in January, he had a choice to make. Either Hopkins could go through a quicker rehab that got him ready for the season opener, or he could slow down the process and return at full strength.
For an offensive lineman with a lot to prove, neither option was desirable. Hopkins was going to miss time, or he was going to make a fast return and potentially play the worst football of his career as an NFL starter.
Hopkins was fully cleared for the first day of training camp in July and has started every regular season game.