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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., 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.
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.
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 against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium.
For depth purposes, the Jets signed veterans Sterling Shepard and Tyler Johnson to the practice squad this week, but neither is expected to be elevated for Sunday's game.
The Jets will lean heavily on their tight ends in the game plan, with starters Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell leading the wide receiver corps.
Cooper made a quick impact in his debut, catching a 30-yard pass during the first half of the Jets' Week 1 win against the Titans.
In Cooper's absence, the Jets will likely rely more on Garrett Wilson, who caught six passes for 79 yards in the opener, and AD Mitchell, who had three receptions for 60 yards.
It's a tough break for Cooper during his rookie campaign, but he is expected to return for the Week 6 game against the New England Patriots.
Cooper's injury will also mean more work in the slot for Isaiah Williams, who played 60% of the snaps in the Week 1 game.
What this adds
Cooper's injury leaves the Jets with limited depth at wide receiver, potentially impacting their offensive strategy in the upcoming games.
What's confirmed
- 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.
- 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 against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium.
- For depth purposes, the Jets signed veterans Sterling Shepard and Tyler Johnson to the practice squad this week, but neither is expected to be elevated for Sunday's game.
- The Jets will lean heavily on their tight ends in the game plan, with starters Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell leading the wide receiver corps.
- Cooper made a quick impact in his debut, catching a 30-yard pass during the first half of the Jets' Week 1 win against the Titans.
- In Cooper's absence, the Jets will likely rely more on Garrett Wilson, who caught six passes for 79 yards in the opener, and AD Mitchell, who had three receptions for 60 yards.
- It's a tough break for Cooper during his rookie campaign, but he is expected to return for the Week 6 game against the New England Patriots.
- Cooper's injury will also mean more work in the slot for Isaiah Williams, who played 60% of the snaps in the Week 1 game.
What's still developing
- FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., one of the team's three first-round picks, was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a sprained ankle, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
- Omar Cooper Jr. will be placed on injured reserve due to the ankle sprain he sustained in Week 1, meaning he will miss at least the next four games, according to ESPN.
- Cooper started the preseason seemingly behind Williams on the depth chart in the slot, but worked his way onto the first team and looked like he was going to make an immediate impact.
- The New York Jets will be without one of their first-round picks for at least the next four weeks.
- Cooper will miss Sunday's home game against the Green Bay Packers, as well as road games against the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears and a home game against the Cleveland Browns before being eligible to return for New York's Week 6 game in New England against the Patriots.