There was just one thing that marred the New York Jets dominant win over the Tennessee Titans on opening day: injuries to two key players.
Head coach Aaron Glenn revealed Monday that wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., a late first-round draft choice out of national champion Indiana, sustained a high ankle sprain. Cooper had X-rays that proved negative, but given the fickle nature of his injury and a receiver’s need for speed and burst, it’s likely not something that will see him return quickly.
Cooper Jr. made an impression in his brief moment in the Titans game. He took a short pass and bounced off several defenders, turning a minor gain into a 30-yard reception and put the Jets inside the Titans five-yard line.
The rookie had a quiet summer in preseason, so the burst through the Titans secondary opened some eyes as to his possible impact going forward. Cooper Jr. is slated to be the No. 3 receiver, but with No. 4 receiver Tim Patrick already on injured reserve, the Jets may bring up someone from the practice squad.
Another injury was sustained by veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who strained his left groin after just six plays. Fitzpatrick was brought in from the Miami Dolphins to stabilize a shaky Jets secondary, so his absence will be felt. He is a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time first team All-Pro who has 21 interceptions during his career. That’s a resume that the Jets hoped would help them break their bizarre lack of interceptions that stretches to last season.
There is no timetable on the return of either Cooper Jr. or Fitzpatrick, but it’s unlikely that either will play in the home opener Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
New York coach Aaron Glenn didn’t provide much information in his Monday update, saying he’s “not too worried about them at all.”
More New York Jets Essentials
- Every QB Drafted by the Jets
- 5 Best Quarterbacks in Jets History
- 5 Best Running Backs in Jets History
- 5 Best Wide Receivers in Jets History
- NFL’s Richest Owners: Where Does the Johnson Family Rank?
