Cardinals’ Hopkins banned six games

The Arizona Cardinals are going to have to figure out a way to score points and win games without their top receiver.

Three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins has been suspended without pay for six games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, the league announced May 2.

It’s a stunning blow for the Cardinals, who finished with an 11-6 record last season but faded down the stretch when Hopkins was out of the lineup because of injuries. Arizona had an 8-2 record when Hopkins was in the lineup and just a 3-5 mark, including the playoffs, when he was not.

Now they’ll be without the 29-year-old — who turns 30 next month — for a big chunk of the upcoming season.

Hopkins played in 10 games last season, catching 42 passes for 572 yards and eight touchdowns. He missed much of the last half of the season, including the team’s playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, because of hamstring and knee injuries.

STEELERS DECLINE OPTION

» Devin Bush will be playing for his job in 2022. The Steelers have declined the fifth-year option on the inside linebacker, meaning he can become a free agent next spring.

CHIEFS MOVES » The Chiefs placed an unrestricted free-agent tender on defensive end Melvin Ingram and traded for Houston cornerback Lonnie Johnson, hoping to add two more pieces to a defense that was revamped during the NFL draft. The seldom-used UFA tender means the Chiefs essentially offered Ingram a $4.4 million contract for next season.

MLB

EXPENSIVE TRANSACTION FOR METS » Robinson

Canó was cut by the Mets with nearly $45 million remaining on his contract, ending an ill-fated marriage and perhaps signaling the end of his decorated major league career. The slumping Canó was designated for assignment in a move announced about an hour before teams were required to trim their active rosters from 28 players to 26. Relegated to a part-time role this season, Canó was a casualty of the crunch as the first-place Mets chose to keep younger, more versatile bench players instead.

TWINS’ SANO ON IL » The Twins put Miguel Sanó on the 10-day injured list and called up infield prospect Jose Miranda to make his big league debut. The 23-year-old Miranda was slated to play third base and bat sixth against Baltimore.

YANKEES HAVE FULL ROSTER

FOR TORONTO TRIP

All members of the Yankees’ active roster were permitted to cross the border into Canada for a three-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays beginning May 2, indicating they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

ARBITRATION CASES UNDER WAY » Adam Frazier and the Mariners argued the first of this year’s delayed salary arbitration cases May 2, with the second baseman/outfielder asking for a raise from $4.3 million to $8 million and the team arguing for $6.7 million. Frazier is batting .250 with no homers and 11 RBI this season.

College football

NEBRASKA COACH PUNISHED » Scott Frost will be barred from coaching for five consecutive days this season as part of Nebraska’s negotiated settlement with the NCAA for allowing an unauthorized staff member to do hands-on special teams coaching two years ago.