Cooper’s role should grow over time

Active for the first time since Week 1, the No. 30 overall pick shook off his ankle issue by recording the first 100-yard outing of his now two-game career. It was a much needed effort with No. 1 Garrett Wilson getting tangled up in Christian Gonzalez’s coverage. The highlight was a 48-yard touchdown where Cooper got behind the entire defense then came back to an underthrown deep ball for six. This was after he had a shorter touchdown called back by a dubious Tim Patrick OPI penalty. Now firmly in the mix for No. 2 status even when Adonai Mitchell comes back from his seemingly never-ending finger injury, Cooper is worth rostering in a majority of fantasy leagues with injuries mounting and bye weeks raging. The Jets have a plus Week 7 matchup in the Dolphins.

Up for the first time since Week 1, Cooper should immediately slide in as the Jets’ No. 2 wideout with Adonai Mitchell (finger) still somehow on the shelf. He’s a dart throw WR4 for a contest where the Jets should be playing from behind. Joining Mitchell on the shelf for Gang Green are RB Breece Hall, CB Nahshon Wright, LG Dylan Parham, DT Jack Heflin and EDGE Joseph Ossai.

Cooper had his 21-day practice window opened earlier this week, but is officially set to return after logging a full practice on Friday. The rookie receiver could step into an immediate role for the Jets with Adonai Mitchell (finger) out for at least one more week, but he could still be a few weeks away from fantasy relevance. Cooper played on just five snaps in Week 1 before his injury, but did catch one pass for 30 yards.

Cooper has been on injured reserve since sustaining a high ankle sprain in Week 1. He could return as soon as this week against the Patriots, though he could see his snaps and routes limited. Cooper can be rostered in deeper 12-team formats. Garrett Wilson’s domination of the New York passing offense makes it tough for anyone else to post fantasy-relevant numbers for now.

The news was first reported by NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Cooper is going on injured reserve for an ankle sprain. He’ll be sidelined for at least four games with a designation to return. Rapoport mentions that Cooper should be back “shortly.” Cooper could still make an impact in the second half of his rookie season, but he isn’t worth holding in most fantasy formats at this point.

This was always expected to be the case, but head coach Aaron Glenn said on Friday, while speaking with the media, that Cooper, RB/KR Kene Nwangwu (back), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (groin), and EDGE Joseph Ossai (foot) will all miss Sunday’s game against the Packers. It was reported earlier this week that the Jets are hoping to have Cooper back “within the next four weeks,” so it wouldn’t be surprising if he also missed Week 3’s game against the Lions.

The phrasing at the end of that sentence makes it clear the Jets are pondering not sending him to injured reserve. Fantasy managers who took the plunge in non-dynasty leagues do not necessarily have to hold on to Cooper through the early weeks if something catches their eye on the wire.

Pelissero also reported that Cooper will undergo an MRI to further assess the injury on Monday, confirming NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport’s report from earlier this evening. Cooper could be looking at a multi-week absence, but only time will tell. Hopefully, it is just a mild injury.

Cooper got hurt at the end of a 30-yard catch-and-run against the Titans, when another player rolled up on his right ankle. Cooper helped bring his offense to the Titans’ four-yard line. It was his only time touching the football. For now, we wait and see what the diagnosis is, but the fact that he needs more imaging is a little discouraging.

The maligned first-round rookie had a rugged, 30-yard catch-and-run to the Titans’ four-yard line on the Jets’ opening series, but got his right ankle rolled up on in the process. He required the assistance of a cart, but the Jets claimed he might still return. He was then ruled out at halftime. It’s a brutal blow for a first-rounder who supposedly had a rough summer. Despite the delayed ruleout, Cooper should definitely be considered on the wrong side of questionable for Week 2. If he is occupying one of your final bench spots, he will be a shaky hold during this week’s all-important waivers run.