Omar Cooper Jr. is in line to play his first NFL game since September. The Jets’ first-round rookie receiver practiced fully Friday, is questionable at New England, and head coach Aaron Glenn said he expects him on the field.
In brief: Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle) is questionable for the Jets’ Week 6 game at New England after practicing fully Friday. Glenn said he expects the rookie active. Four Jets — Breece Hall, Adonai Mitchell, Joseph Ossai and Dylan Parham — are out.
Will Omar Cooper Jr. play against the Patriots?
He is expected to. Cooper is questionable on the Jets’ final Week 6 report, but Glenn said Friday he expects the receiver active at New England. The Jets had not announced a transaction adding him to the 53-man roster as of Saturday morning. Current designations sit on our Jets injury report tracker.
What happened to Omar Cooper Jr.?
He hurt his ankle in his NFL debut and has not played since. Cooper was injured in the 23-10 Week 1 win at Tennessee on September 13, catching one pass for 30 yards, and went on injured reserve September 19, costing him Weeks 2 through 5. The Jets designated him to return October 14, which we covered when the Jets opened his 21-day practice window.
What have the Jets said about his status?
Two things, worth separating. On the Jets’ Week 6 injury report at NewYorkJets.com, published Friday afternoon, Cooper is listed with an ankle injury, limited Wednesday and Thursday, full Friday, questionable. The club notes Wednesday’s levels are an estimation because the Jets held a walkthrough, so that column is not an observed workload. Separately, in Friday’s team notebook on NewYorkJets.com, Glenn said he expects Cooper active and added, “Looking forward to seeing him go out there and play.” The designation is the club’s formal position; the quote is the coach’s characterization.
Tight end Kenyon Sadiq is in a similar spot: limited Wednesday and Thursday, full Friday, questionable with a concussion from the Week 5 win over Cleveland, which we reported when Sadiq entered the concussion protocol. The notebook says he is finishing up that protocol. The report has him a full participant while the notebook has him still working through it; both are the club’s wording and we are not resolving the difference. Safety Dane Belton (knee) is also questionable; Kiko Mauigoa (quad) practiced fully with no designation.
What does coming off injured reserve involve?
The mechanics are set by rule. A player placed on injured reserve in season must miss at least four games. Once the club designates him to return, a 21-day practice window opens, and inside it the team must add him to the 53-man roster or he reverts to injured reserve for the season. Our guide to what NFL injured reserve is and how the rules work has each step.
When is Omar Cooper Jr. expected back?
This Sunday, October 18, per the head coach. The Jets play at New England at 1:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium; our Week 6 preview of Jets vs. Patriots has the matchup. The window opened October 14 runs into early November, the club’s deadline to activate him or shut him down for the season. No alternative return date has been reported.
What does it change on the Jets’ depth chart?
It gives a thin receiver room a first-round pick back. Garrett Wilson is the clear first option with 31 catches for 374 yards and three touchdowns through five games, and Adonai Mitchell — nine catches, 123 yards in two games — is out again. Cooper, taken 30th overall out of Indiana, profiles as a physical intermediate and red-zone target; his Omar Cooper Jr. player page has the background. The backfield stays with Braelon Allen as Hall misses a third straight game. For an offense scoring 18.6 points a game, 27th in the league, any returning starter matters. Glenn on the four out: “It’ll be a big week going into the next week for those men to get back on the field.”
Frequently asked questions
When will Omar Cooper Jr. return?
The Jets expect him back this week. Glenn said Friday he expects Cooper active at New England on Sunday, October 18. Cooper is questionable, so the club has not guaranteed he plays.
Is Omar Cooper Jr. still on injured reserve?
He went on injured reserve September 19 and was designated to return to practice October 14. To play Sunday he must be added to the 53-man roster; that transaction had not been announced as of Saturday morning.
What was Omar Cooper Jr.’s injury?
An ankle injury, suffered in his NFL debut at Tennessee on September 13. The club has listed it only as “ankle” and has not described the severity or diagnosis.
Will Kenyon Sadiq play against the Patriots?
He is questionable. The rookie tight end practiced fully Friday after a concussion in the Week 5 win over Cleveland, and the Jets’ notebook said he is finishing up the concussion protocol.
Which Jets are ruled out for Week 6?
Four: running back Breece Hall (quad), receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger), edge Joseph Ossai (ankle) and offensive lineman Dylan Parham (knee). All sat out all three days.
Where is the current Jets injury report?
Clubs publish practice reports Wednesday through Friday of a game week, with final designations Friday afternoon. Every current Jets designation is on our Jets injury page.