Wide receiver Darius Cooper is no longer merely a training camp darling for the Philadelphia Eagles.
After securing a roster spot, thanks to a stellar training camp and preseason, Cooper has the chance to earn quality snaps in a loaded receiving room that includes the likes of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and former first-round draft choice Jahan Dotson.
Cooper, though, is well on his way both to carving out a niche and gaining the confidence of his head coach.
“I think that this guy is a really strong football player who can do some of the dirty work stuff for us as far as our blocking, as far as special teams, as far as good speed to be able to clear things out,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni recently told reporters of Cooper. “And really when you have a guy like that, there’s opportunities for him as well in the pass game that mesh off of some of those things. I’m looking forward to watching him continue to develop.”
The 5-foot-11 and 210 pound Cooper averaged 12.9 yards per reception during the Eagles’ three preseason games, catching seven passes for 90 yards and a touchdown after signing as an undrafted free agent earlier this spring.
During his five collegiate seasons at Tarlton State, Cooper caught 164 passes for 3,183 yards and 29 touchdowns, underscoring his explosiveness that drew the Eagles to ink him to a deal after the draft this spring.
With Sirianni already speaking highly of his “dirty work” and pass-game potential, it seems like Cooper isn’t just a roster-filler, but a legitimate part of the Eagles’ plan, a testament to a preseason performance that turned an undrafted flyer into a potentially trusted piece of the puzzle for quarterback Jalen Hurts and the offense.
Eagles Newcomer Already on Injured Reserve
The Eagles have added several players to the 53-man roster and the practice squad since making final roster cuts on Tuesday, but at least one won’t be taking the field anytime soon.
After claiming offensive lineman Willie Lampkin off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams, in hopes of adding quality depth along the interior, Lampkin was placed on injured reserve, meaning the 23-year-old will be sidelined for at least the first four weeks of the season.
Lampkin, 5-foot-11 and 279 pounds, was waived/injured by the Rams due to a knee injury that he suffered during the preseason.
The former North Carolina and Coastal Carolina standout signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent after this spring’s NFL Draft.
According to NBC Sports Philadelphia, Lampkin believes he’ll be back in action “soon.”
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