New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since he hurt his ankle in Week 1, giving a short-handed receiver room a possible boost before Sunday’s trip to New England.
Head coach Aaron Glenn announced that the club had designated Cooper to return from injured reserve, opening a 21-day window for him to be added to the active roster. Cooper was a limited participant.
“You never want any rookie to miss time because the reps are valuable for those guys,” Glenn said. “For him to actually start to get these reps again, then get back out there again and be able to compete is a big thing for us.”
Five snaps, one big play
Cooper’s rookie season lasted five snaps before the injury. On his only catch, in the 23-10 opening win over the Tennessee Titans, he turned a short throw into a 30-yard gain, 26 of those yards after the catch, spinning away from defenders and breaking tackles to reach the 4-yard line. That set up a touchdown by fellow first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq on the opening drive.
The Jets moved back into the first round of the 2026 draft to take Cooper out of Indiana. He had 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Hoosiers’ national championship team in his final college season.
Why the timing matters
New York needs the help. Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell had a procedure on his injured finger and remains week to week after not playing since Week 2. Running back Breece Hall, who has missed two games with a quad injury, did not practice Wednesday and is also week to week. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq was limited with a concussion.
The Jets, 2-3 after their 17-12 win over the Cleveland Browns, visit the New England Patriots on Sunday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Glenn did not commit to Cooper playing this week, and his practice reps over the next two days will decide whether he is activated in time.
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