Darius Slayton may be a Jets necessity after Omar Cooper Jr. injury diagnosis

The New York Jets lost Omar Cooper Jr. to an ankle sprain early in their season opener this past Sunday, and the exciting young rookie underwent testing on Monday to determine the severity of the injury and how much time he'll end up missing.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday morning that Cooper is currently week-to-week, with the expectation that he'll be back within the next four weeks. That means no injured reserve stint for the Indiana standout, but that does leave the Jets incredibly thin at wide receiver.

Currently, on the 53-man roster, New York only has four healthy wide receivers. Superstar Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell lead the way, while return specialist and 2025 fourth-round draft pick Arian Smith bring up the rear. Veteran Tim Patrick would've been solid depth, but he's on injured reserve with a groin injury.

The Jets may have no choice but to add a wide receiver this week ahead of their Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton may be the best available option.

Darius Slayton may be the New York Jets best available WR option

Slayton, who initially made the New York Giants' 53-man roster but was then released shortly before the start of the regular season, is arguably the best free-agent wide receiver on the market, if he's healthy.

The 2019 fifth-round draft pick has seven years of productive NFL experience under his belt and could be a decent complement to Wilson and Mitchell.

He doesn't have the rapport with quarterback Geno Smith, like, say, a Tyler Lockett does, as The Jet Press's Mike Luciano pointed out on Monday, but Slayton is a few years younger than the former Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowler, and could be motivated by proving the Giants wrong for cutting him.

Regardless of who it is, the Jets need to add somebody in the wake of Cooper's injury, because their current group just isn't going to cut it.

Arian Smith cannot be on the field for the New York Jets

The worst-case scenario for the Jets here is standing pat and doing nothing ahead of their Week 2 matchup against the Packers.

Going into the game with their four active wide receivers and an elevation from the practice squad of either Malik McClain or Jamal Pritchett could wind up being a recipe for disaster, especially if another injury occurs during the game.

As we know, Arian Smith cannot see any offense reps. He's a liability out there and has proved time and time again that he can't be trusted. He may still have some value as a special teamer, but he's just not there yet as an NFL wide receiver.

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