Jets may have no choice but to make a move after Omar Cooper Jr. injury update

There was a lot of excitement about several rookie debuts heading into Sunday's season opener, including, of course, the New York Jets offensive rookies. Kenyon Sadiq did not disappoint, scoring the Jets' first offensive touchdown of the season, thanks in large part to a 30-yard catch and run set up by fellow rookie Omar Cooper Jr.

Unfortunately, that single play on the first drive would be the last we see of Cooper on Sunday. He exited the game with an ankle injury, and was quickly ruled out. Netflix's Tom Pelissero later reported that the rookie wide receiver suffered a high ankle sprain.

Cooper is set to undergo further testing on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, and how much time he'll miss as a result. The latest update from head coach Aaron Glenn, via ESPN's Rich Cimni was that he had no update, and that's not exactly ideal.

The injury leaves the Jets with only four healthy wide receivers on the active roster: Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Williams and Arian Smith. Veteran Tim Patrick was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. What will New York do at pass catcher?

New York Jets may be forced to sign a WR after Omar Cooper Jr. injury

Four wide receivers won't be enough to bring into Week 2's matchup with the Green Bay Packers, and the Jets will likely have no choice but to elevate someone from the practice squad, or sign a veteran free agent to add to their ranks.

New York currently has two wide receivers on their practice squad: Jamaal Pritchett and Malik McClain. Both of them have never appeared in a regular-season game, but have had varying degrees of success in preseason action.

McClain appeared in all three preseason games this past summer, hauling in three catches for 33 yards. Pritchett appeared in only one due to injury and caught three passes for 24 yards.

Considering their lack of experience, the Jets may have no choice but to see who's available in free agency.

Veteran free agent WRs available for the New York Jets

Some names that come to mind for the Jets, who are currently unsigned, are Darius Slayton, Curtis Samuel, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyler Lockett.

Of that bunch, Lockett may make the most sense. While he has no past experience with anyone on the Jets' coaching staff, he has a lot of experience catching passes from Smith. They spent three years together in Seattle, and Lockett closed out the 2025 season as a member of the Raiders.

Regardless, the Jets can't trust Arian Smith on the field as a fourth wide receiver. They need at least one more pass-catcher they can trust before they take the field against Green Bay.

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