Omar Cooper Jr., wide receiver & 30th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has been designated to return to practice for the New York Jets. As the team manages the offense without three key starters, the return of the rookie gives New York a sigh of relief as they head to Gillette Stadium this week to face the New England Patriots. The Jets are coming off a momentum-boosting win after ending the Cleveland Browns three-game winning streak in Week 5. This happened despite star running back Breece Hall, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, and left guard Dylan Parham all being inactive.
Omar Cooper Jr.’s return would bring some needed versatility to the Jets offense. The enigmatic ex-Indiana Hoosier had been on Injured Reserve after suffering an ankle sprain during the team’s Week 1 victory vs. the Titans. The loss of Cooper Jr. limited the Jets receiving options after the team lost Mitchell to a nagging finger injury he sustained in practice before their Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. It will be a challenge to overcome while facing a talented Patriots team this week, which will also see the return of cornerback Christian Gonzalez and wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Aug 14, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (83) gains yards after catch during the first half against Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
While it hasn’t been pretty, the 2026 New York Jets are on track to improve on last year. After finishing 3-14 in Aaron Glenn’s first season as head coach, the team is already 66% of the way to tying last year’s win total. While a record of 2-3 won’t dazzle fans, it’s certainly an upgrade after starting the 2025 season going 0-7.
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Glenn’s return to playcalling duties has already been a huge boost for the team’s defense. Especially after a breakout game for second-overall pick edge rusher David Bailey. Averaging 19.2 points allowed per game, the Jets defense is tied for fifth in the league with the Chicago Bears, and slightly ahead of both the Kansas City Chiefs and the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks.
The offense has also looked more dynamic. While his performance has taken a hit the past two weeks, veteran Geno Smith has provided the Jets with fringe top-15 quarterback production. After averaging the worst passing yards per game in 2025, the Jets have now improved to 23rd, averaging 190 passing yards per game. Smith stability has also revitalized wide receiver Garrett Wilson. The Jets star currently ranks seventh in catches, 11th in receiving yards, and 12th in touchdown receptions through five weeks. Along with noticeable improvements in his contested catch rates.
Jets Open 21-Day Practice Window for Omar Cooper Jr. After Ankle Injury
Entering the season, the New York Jets were ecstatic to add the duo of Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Sadiq was a key cog in Oregon’s offense, becoming the favorite target of quarterback Dante Moore. Meanwhile, Cooper Jr. was a versatile weapon for Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza as they guided the Hoosiers to their first National Championship.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) makes a catch for a touchdown Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, during the Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff against the Oregon Ducks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Omar Cooper Jr. was a standout during his four-year career at Indiana. Especially after the hiring of head coach Curt Cignetti. Cignetti’s background as a wide receivers coach was instrumental to Cooper Jr.’s development during his final two seasons at Bloomington. During the 2024 season, Cooper Jr. led the Big 10 conference with an average of 21.2 yards/reception, with 594 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 28 catches. Last season, Cooper Jr.’s target share grew after standout wide receiver Elijah Sarratt suffered a hamstring injury against Maryland in November. The future 30th overall pick finished 2025 with 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdown receptions.
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Standing 6’0″ and weighing just under 200lbs, teams were impressed with his high IQ and route running, along with a 4.42 40-yard time that made him a connoisseur of yards after the catch. Despite a slender frame, Cooper Jr.’s deceptive strength allows him to break tackles more easily than initially expected. Draft analysts frequently compared his game to former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel & five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry. These intangibles led Jets general manager Darren Mougey to trade up to the 30th overall pick, allowing New York to draft Omar Cooper Jr.
Omar Cooper Jr.’s Return Comes at an Opportune Time for New York
After missing the last four weeks with a high ankle sprain, the Jets offense missed Omar Cooper Jr. Despite leaving Week 1 during the opening drive, Cooper Jr. displayed his skill set at a crucial moment. Cooper Jr. gave a preview of the kind of things fans can expect once he’s back on the field.
During the drive, the Jets were set up at the Titans’ 34-yard line on third-and-nine. While Geno Smith was in shotgun formation, the quarterback quickly found Cooper Jr. at the Titans 30-yard line. The rookie wide receiver managed to not only get the first down but also shook off two Titans defenders, eventually being brought down at the Tennessee four-yard line for a 30-yard gain. While Cooper sustained the ankle sprain on this play, his effort set up New York near the goal line, eventually resulting in Kenyon Sadiq running for both his first career touchdown and the first touchdown of the season.
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Now, with a 2-3 record and facing the reigning AFC Champion New England Patriots in Gillette Stadium, Cooper Jr.’s return is a big boost for New York’s passing game. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich has had to work on the fly to adapt after the finger injury to Adonai Mitchell, the Jets’ second-leading receiver this season, has kept him out of the last four games. Through the first two games of the season, Mitchell has 123 receiving yards on nine catches off of 14 targets.
Nov 30, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA;New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (15) makes a touchdown catch against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Factor in the absences of star running back Breece Hall and starting left guard Dylan Parham, New York has had to endure the deficit of three key offensive starters. The Jets will have their hands full facing a talented Patriots defense that ranks fourth in the league in points per game allowed at 18.8. But Cooper Jr.’s return will be a big help if he can get in rhythm.
Especially if Reich can find ways to utilize Omar Cooper Jr. in the running game. Averaging 19.4 yards per carry with limited carries in his final two seasons at Indiana, this could be helpful to combat the Patriots’ sixth-ranked run defense. (90.8 rushing yards allowed per game) With Braelon Allen as the lead running back for a third week in a row, and Isaiah Davis being utilized in limited action, allowing Cooper Jr. to get the ball in his hands on jet sweeps can really diversify the Jets game plan.
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The Last Word
With the absence of three key starters on offense and a crucial in-division matchup vs. the Patriots this Sunday, the Jets couldn’t be happier to have Omar Cooper Jr. back on the field. After losing to New England 42-10 in the final home game of 2025, Aaron Glenn is hoping to have a more competitive game this time in New England. It will be an uphill battle, but this season, the Jets have looked like a more competent team at this point compared to last year.
With the potential return of Omar Cooper Jr., it gives Jets quarterback Geno Smith another weapon to utilize as New England’s defense draws their attention to Garrett Wilson. With Wilson matched up against Christian Gonzalez, this could open up the field for Omar Cooper Jr. to get some production in the slot this week. Especially if Kenyon Sadiq is back on the field should he pass concussion protocol. The Jets will likely fall to the Patriots, but fans should hopefully see a more competitive game compared to last season’s blowout in their penultimate game.
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Main Photo: [Steve Roberts] – Reuters Connect
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