Cleveland Browns Star Amari Cooper Ruled Out Against New York Jets
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper will not be playing in Thursday night’s game against the New York Jets. The team made the announcement just an hour before kickoff. Cooper, who is dealing with a heel injury, was questionable leading up to the game.
Cooper’s absence is a significant loss for the Browns. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after his outstanding performance against the Houston Texans on Christmas Eve. With 1,250 yards and five touchdowns this season, Cooper has been a key player for the Browns.
Despite Cooper’s absence, the Browns have shown adaptability and have multiple options to rely on. David Njoku has been featured in their pass offense, and head coach Kevin Stefanski is comfortable using multiple tight end sets and throwing to running backs Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt if necessary. Wide receivers David Bell and Marquise Goodwin will see more playing time in Cooper’s absence, with Goodwin serving as the primary deep-ball option. Additionally, tight end Harrison Bryant could see increased snaps and targets.
According to Browns beat writer Zac Jackson, while Cooper’s absence is significant, the team has proven to be adaptable and has multiple options to fill the void.
For fantasy football players, Cooper’s absence may be disappointing, but it also eliminates the decision of whether to start him or another player. Facing a tough Jets defense while dealing with a heel injury, Cooper’s absence may actually be a silver lining for fantasy players. It is advised not to turn to any other Browns wide receivers as they carry too much risk. It’s likely that fantasy players already have safer options on their bench.
If you were considering starting Joe Flacco as your quarterback, it is now recommended to bench him. Despite having good wide receivers to work with and playing against his former team in a revenge game, Flacco will be without his top pass-catcher on a short week.
In conclusion, Amari Cooper’s absence is a significant loss for the Browns, but they have shown adaptability and have multiple options to fill the void. Fantasy players should look for safer options on their bench, and starting Joe Flacco may not be the best decision without his top pass-catcher.