Jets Rookie Receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Placed on Injured Reserve
Rookie wideout suffers ankle sprain in Week 1, landing him on IR and prompting Jets to sign Sterling Shepard.
New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has been placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle sprain in the team's Week 1 game. Cooper, a first-round pick from Indiana, sustained the injury during his first NFL reception, a 30-yard catch-and-run that helped set up the Jets inside the red zone.
The injury occurred on Cooper's initial play in the league, which saw him break multiple tackles. He was subsequently carted off the field. Initially, reports suggested Cooper might avoid an injured reserve stint and was considered week-to-week. However, the team has officially moved him to IR, sidelining him for at least several weeks.
To bolster their wide receiver depth following Cooper's injury, the Jets signed former Giants wideout Sterling Shepard to their practice squad.
Cooper showcased significant potential during his college career at Indiana. In his final two seasons, he amassed 20 touchdowns and 1,300 receiving yards. In 2024, he led the Big Ten in yards per reception with 21.2.
In other team news, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, a former teammate of Cooper's at Indiana, is expected to make his debut for the Jets this Sunday against the Packers after recovering from a calf injury that kept him out of Week 1.