Darius Cooper bottled up for 2/25 vs. Giants

With DeVonta Smith back, Cooper played just 39 of 64 snaps and ran a route on 26 of the team’s 52 dropbacks. Those were both fourth among wide receivers on the team. Cooper’s fantasy value is likely limited until there is another injury in the receiving room.

Cooper has been a touchdown magnet this year, scoring three times on five catches before today’s explosion. He broke loose against the Jags in the second quarter with a 62-yard grab. Cooper beat his man deep and his adjustment to the throw, which was thrown back toward the center of the field, put him in open space with a full head of steam. He ran untouched into the end zone. Cooper’s absurd touchdown efficiency can’t be sustained, but he is developing into a meaningful deep threat for a struggling Philly passing attack. He will at least warrant some FLEX consideration if DeVonta Smith remains out for Week 6 against the Panthers.

Doing his best Isaac TesLaa impression, Cooper is now up to three touchdowns on only five catches this season. His first score today was a fluke 18-yarder where he turned a Jalen Hurts end zone interception into six after he wrestled the ball away from Quentin Lake. His second was a 10-yarder where the Rams somewhat understandably simply stopped covering him in the painted area. Cooper is one of the only Birds stepping up right now, but his paltry targets total through four appearances — 10 — means he’s not about to push for WR4 status even with DeVonta Smith (hamstring) on the shelf.

Wilson’s first two years in the NFL were riddled with injuries. A summer concussion and in-season hamstring injury slowed his rookie season development, and he was robbed of his second season after being rolled up on in an August practice. He underwent season-ending ankle and knee injuries and was replaced in the lineup by Cooper, who uninspiringly caught nine passes for 92 yards all year. Wilson, an oversized slot receiver, is unlikely to be fantasy-relevant, but it sounds like he has a chance to at least contribute this season.

In trying to figure out how the Eagles could look if A.J. Brown gets traded, it’s possible Cooper pushes for a role in a three-wide set with Johnny Wilson also in the conversation. Cooper did manage a five-target, 33-yard game in meaningless Week 18 action with Tanner McKee starting. He’s on the deep dynasty radar.

Cooper, an undrafted free agent rookie from Tarleton State, had six targets on the season heading into Week 18. He made a few chunk plays running the most routes he had all season with the Eagles resting starters. Also splitting WR4 looks for the Eagles was Britain Covey, who caught 2-of-4 targets for 20 yards. Neither Cooper nor Covey are relevant on offense when the Eagles are playing starters, which they will be doing in the Wild Card round against the 49ers.

Smith reportedly re-injured the triceps muscle that he tore during Super Bowl LIX. He underwent surgery to repair the torn tissue this offseason. The Eagles believe Smith will not require surgery and hope to have him back “around” their Week 9 bye. Players placed on injured reserve are eligible to return after missing four games. The Eagles also placed CB Jakorian Bennett and WR Darius Cooper on injured reserve with undisclosed injuries. Both players are likewise expected to avoid surgery and are expected to return around Week 9. The Eagles signed S Marcus Epps, TE Cameron Latu, and CB Parry Nickerson to the active roster, and LB Lance Dixon, DB Eli Ricks, and WR Quez Watkins to the practice squad.