Omar Cooper Jr. exhilarates Jets fans in impressive return from injury

Fully recovered from a high ankle sprain, Omar Cooper Jr. decided he’d spend Week 6 as the New York Jets’ most-discussed rookie.

Cooper scored his first career touchdown, a 48-yarder on a deep ball from Geno Smith, in Sunday’s 26-19 loss to the rival New England Patriots. The No. 30 pick finished with six catches for 103 yards in only his second career game.

The Patriots’ prolonged game-ending drive nearly kept Cooper from becoming the second Jets rookie with a 100-yard game this year. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq carved through the Lions' defense for 105 yards in Week 3. 

Cooper wasn’t the only Jets rookie who stayed productive on Sunday afternoon. Defensive Rookie of the Week and rising star edge rusher David Bailey forced a fumble and recorded another quarterback hit. Sadiq managed only a 12-yard catch on three targets.

Can the New York Jets depend on rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. moving forward?

Despite the loss, Cooper deserves immense kudos for maximizing his opportunities on Sunday afternoon. He led the Jets with seven targets, one more than Garrett Wilson, and the Indiana product’s 48-yard gain was the game’s longest play. Most importantly, the No. 30 pick looked comfortable after the extended layoff.

As for what lies ahead, the Jets really have no choice but to hope Cooper is the real deal. Adonai Mitchell landed on injured reserve following finger surgery and won’t return until November at the earliest. Glenn and Frank Reich seemingly haven’t decided what they want from Isaiah Williams, who has drawn seven targets since a six-catch outing in Week 2.

You’d think Wilson, Cooper, and Sadiq would be the Jets’ top three receiving options, at least in the short term. The problem is that Wilson’s targets are far lower than you’d expect from a No. 1 receiver, especially one who signed a $130 million contract extension just 15 months ago. There’s also more to be said about Reich and Glenn’s inconsistent use of tight ends as receivers. 

Tim Patrick is a depth receiver who turns 33 in November, and he shouldn’t ever be a focal point of the passing game. From there, you’re looking at bottom-of-the-roster players or practice squaders who can make an immediate impact. We’ll see whether Jamaal Pritchett or Sterling Shepard are promoted ahead of next Sunday’s home clash with the winless Dolphins.

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