Hopkins back for first time since late Oct.

There were two short-term firsts for the Cardinals and DeAndre Hopkins on Wednesday.

The team had its first practice on Wednesday after their bye week through Thanksgiving, and Hopkins had limited participation in his first practice since Oct. 22.

The All-Pro wide receiver has missed practice and the Cardinals’ past three games because of his hamstring injury he suffered in their 31-5 home win over his former team Houston Texans on Oct. 24.

The last game Hopkins played in was their home loss four days later against the Green Bay Packers.

Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said his coaching staff still treading lightly on Hopkins’ possible return at the Bears this Sunday.

He’s more concerned about Hopkins’ time away from practice than Chicago’s forecast for cold and rainy weather conditions hampering his leg.

“We just gotta be smart with how we use him if he’s able to go. Maximize him as best we can, but make sure we don’t wear him out,” Kingsbury said. “He was out there against Green Bay on one leg making catches, so I think he’s a special talent. If he can go, he’ll give us what he’s got.”

In addition, Kyler Murray was limited at practice on Wednesday.

Murray said he’s “hopeful” to return against Chicago. He’s missed as many consecutive games as Hopkins since he injured his ankle in Cardinals’ loss to Green Bay.

“We want to make sure they feel good and kind of ease them back into the week,” Kingsbury said about Hopkins and Murray. “(Thursday), we’ll have pads on and hopefully they can do a little bit more.”

Simmons, Murray say Kingsbury won’t leave Cardinals

Isaiah Simmons told reporters on Wednesday that Kingsbury being mentioned among Oklahoma’s next head coach targets was “very expected.”

The Cardinals inside linebacker added Kingsbury told the team he’s not going anywhere, Simmons said.

“I actually went up to him on Monday, and I looked at him, ‘We in this for the long haul,’” Simmons said. “We’re not going nowhere, so I definitely love Kingsbury, and from what he told us, he’s not going anywhere.”

Although, Simmons “wants what best for him” and will “understand if he chooses to go.”

Kyler Murray isn’t accepting the media’s hype around Kingsbury’s name in the mix to return to the college ranks.

“I know Kliff. I don’t really buy into it,” Murray said. “I think he’s got a pretty good job right now.”

Murray, who played at Oklahoma, supports the decision by former coach Lincoln Riley accepting USC’s offer.

Riley became the Trojan’s new head coach less than a day after the Sooners lost to in-state rival Oklahoma State on Saturday night.

“He’s a huge reason why I went to OU. I’ve been throught he ups and down with him,” Murray said about Riley. “My family loves him, I love him. I’m happy for him.”