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Jets Rookie WR Cooper Jr. Placed on IR with Sprained Ankle
Confirmed
In Short: New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a sprained ankle, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a sprained ankle, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Cooper, who played only four snaps in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans, is expected to return after his four-week IR stint.
Cooper, selected 30th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, made a quick impact in his debut with a 30-yard reception on New York’s opening drive that converted a third-and-nine and set up the team’s first touchdown. He also bullied Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor on a run block and spun out of two tackles on his way to a 30-yard catch-and-run that set up a touchdown run by fellow first-round rookie Kenyon Sadiq.
The Jets are expected to place Cooper on injured reserve due to the ankle sprain, which he suffered in Week 1 against the Titans. The MRI showed positive news, indicating that Cooper will not be going on injured reserve for the entire season.
With Cooper out, the Jets will lean heavily on their tight ends and the remaining receivers. Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell accounted for nine catches and 130 yards in Week 1, while rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq added 21 yards on three catches plus a three-yard rushing touchdown.
The Jets have also signed veterans Sterling Shepard and Tyler Johnson to the practice squad for depth purposes, but neither is expected to be elevated for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium.
The Jets now have two wide receivers on injured reserve -- Cooper and Tim Patrick -- leaving them with only four receivers on the active roster for Sunday's game. Isaiah Williams and Arian Smith will provide depth at wide receiver.
The decision to place Cooper on IR is seen as the right move given the Jets' 1-0 start and the team's desire to ensure Cooper heals properly rather than risk playing through the injury and having it linger all season long.
What this adds
WarpBeat previously reported that Cooper was placed on injured reserve with a sprained ankle, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Background
New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., selected 30th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a sprained ankle, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
What's confirmed
- The hope is that he returns within the next four weeks, which indicates that Cooper will not be going on injured reserve. #Jets rookie WR Omar Cooper Jr., who left the Week 1 game early, suffered an ankle sprain and the MRI showed some positive news, sources say.
What's still developing
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- With the Jets sitting at 1-0 and plenty of weapons to work with this is the right move.
- Losing Cooper was probably the most disappointing part of the Jets’ otherwise encouraging Week 1 win over the Titans.
- Cooper’s five-snap sample size is too small to identify his intended role in the Jets offense.
- NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday that Cooper, the No. 30 pick this past April, is week-to-week with an ankle sprain.
- “Raiders All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday in Dallas with Dr. Daniel Cooper and now is expected to miss ‘a game or two’, league sources told (Ian Rapoport) and me. Bowers got banged up ‘a little in camp’ and the injury was diagnosed last week and surgery scheduled,” Schefter wrote on X.
- Even running back Ashton Jeanty returned to practice despite suffering a sprained ankle before the final preseason game.