Former Commanders K Dustin Hopkins plays hero on MNF with bum hamstring

Stop us if you’ve heard this before, but a nationally-televised primetime game involving the new-look Broncos turned out to be a dud. The Washington Commanders don’t have room to talk after their Week 6 matchup against the Bears, but Broncos-Chargers on Monday Night Football was a brutal watch for football fans.

The story of the game was poor quarterback play, which has been a consistent theme of the start to Russell Wilson’s Broncos tenure. The rapidly-regressing gunslinger compiled just 15 passing yards in the second half and overtime.

Justin Herbert, meanwhile, hasn’t looked right since he fractured his rib cartilage and attempted 57 passes without throwing a touchdown.

The real story of the game, though, was Dustin Hopkins, who played hero on multiple fronts Monday night. Not only did his overtime field goal give the Chargers a victory, but it also put a merciful end to an atrocious football game.

Released by Washington last season, Hopkins became the darling of NFL Twitter for gutting through a hamstring injury. Kicking on the bum hamstring must’ve been painful for Hopkins, who was interviewed by ESPN as the star of the game.

Former Commanders kicker Dustin Hopkins put the Chargers on his back with an injured hamstring on MNF.

Hopkins said he felt a pop in his hamstring attempting an extra point after the Chargers’ first touchdown. He proceeded to make all four of his field goals, falling down after kicking a couple of them because the hammy was so limp, including the game-winner in overtime to bail the Bolts out of an ugly home performance.

Unless your name is Justin Tucker, kickers often find themselves trending on NFL Twitter for late-game meltdowns or double doinks. Hopkins broke that trend in emphatic fashion Monday night and received countless shoutouts on social media.

Commanders fans have to feel good for Hopkins. The veteran kicker was inconsistent over his tenure in Washington, but the front office took him for granted when they cut him during his seventh season despite making 12 of 14 field goals so they could sign the inexperienced Chris Blewitt, who lasted just two games.

Hopkins has since found a home with the Chargers and his standing amongst fans only skyrocketed after his MNF heroics.

Since joining Los Angeles, Hopkins is 27-of-30 on field goals (90%) and 42-of-44 on extra points, good for a 95.5% conversion rate.

The Commanders are content at kicker with Joey Slye, but Washington fans had to enjoy watching Hopkins become the hero of Monday Night Football in a game that was littered with star talents like Herbert, Wilson, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, Derwin James, Patrick Surtain, Khalik Mack and Bradley Chubb.

What a moment for Hopkins. Couldn’t happen to a better guy.