Jets open practice window for Omar Cooper

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.

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.

Cooper “started to show some signs of life by the end” of training camp. The first-rounder will split time with Isaiah Williams in the slot and also operate “as a gadget player.” Keep him out of lineups early, but he is still on the dynasty radar and should be monitored on the waiver wire in shallow leagues.

Cooper played extensively in the Jets’ first preseason game, prompting The Athletic’s Zach Rosenblatt to write that WR Isaiah Williams appeared to have overtaken Cooper for the starting slot receiver job. This week, Cooper out-snapped WR Isaiah Williams six to one on the first drive. Williams continued playing on the second drive before rotating with Cooper on the third. PFF’s Nathan Jahnke notes that when Cooper returned, he lined up out wide while Williams manned the slot. Williams caught 3-of-5 targets for 17 yards and one fumble, though it was recovered by the Jets. It appears as though Cooper may have regained his spot as the Jets’ WR3 behind WR1 Garrett Wilson and WR2 Adonai Mitchell. Cooper still makes for a risky late-round dart throw, but he will get more chances to contribute.

We blurbed about Cooper playing deep into the preseason game on Friday — never a great sign — and this backs that up. Williams, an outstanding return man in his rookie season, enters the deep sleeper conversation at wideout.