Darius Cooper may be walking into the biggest chance of his Eagles career.
Philadelphia is heading into its Week 4 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams a little short-handed at receiver, and that opens the door for Cooper to get the kind of workload he’s been waiting on. DeVonta Smith, dealing with a hamstring injury, and Hollywood Brown, who has an ankle issue, did not practice for the second straight day. Both are now in jeopardy of missing the Rams game, with Smith potentially out multiple weeks.
That reshuffles the depth chart in a hurry. Dontayvion Wicks moves into the WR1 spot, and everyone else slides up with him. For Cooper, that means a real opportunity to show he can handle starter snaps when the Eagles need him.
It’s been a long road to this point for the undrafted receiver out of Tarleton State. Cooper arrived in training camp last year and immediately made noise, flashing with a touchdown catch against the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2025 preseason opener. That performance helped him earn a spot on the 53-man roster, and he finished that preseason with nine catches for 92 yards.
This season brought a different setup. Cooper, Smith and Britain Covey were the only receivers left from last year’s roster on the team in 2026, and Cooper was expected to take on more after another strong camp that drew praise from Jalen Hurts, Nick Sirianni and others. That bigger role has not fully materialized, though he already delivered one major moment.
In the 24-20 win over the Tennessee Titans, Cooper caught the game-winning touchdown with nine seconds left. He ended that game with two receptions for 26 yards and that score, and it remains the only contest this season in which he has put up offensive stats.
Even without steady offensive production, Cooper has still found a way to matter. His biggest impact has come on special teams, where he has emerged as a reliable gunner on kickoff coverage. He has eight total tackles, including six solo stops.
If Smith and Brown are indeed unavailable against the Rams, the Eagles will need Cooper on the field, and that should not be a problem. He and Hurts have built strong chemistry over the last two years, and Hurts trusts him.
There’s also another receiver angle here, with Makai Lemon needing to step up as a starter and justify his first-round status. So far, that hasn’t happened the way the Eagles hoped. Hurts has kept leaning on the receivers he trusts most, and Cooper is part of that group.
In Other News...
Eagles Passing Game Faces A Major Rams Test Without A Star Receiver
The Eagles head into their matchup with the Rams already short on one of Jalen Hurts most trusted targets, with DeVonta Smith not expected to play because of a hamstring injury. Smith has not practiced this week, and the timing is less than ideal for a passing game that has leaned on his route-running and ability to separate when the offense needs a stabilizing catch.
Philadelphia is planning to move forward with Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper at wide receiver, while Hollywood Brown remains out with an ankle injury. That leaves the Eagles trying to piece together a workable passing attack against a Rams defense that can force quarterbacks to be precise, and it puts even more pressure on the rest of the receiver room to create answers quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Rookie Makai Lemon Faces A Huge Chance At The Perfect Time
Makai Lemons first month in Philadelphia has been more about steady growth than splash plays, which is not unusual for a rookie receiver trying to find his footing in the NFL. The Eagles 20th overall pick in the 2026 draft has gone three games without the kind of breakout performance that turns heads, but the opportunity in front of him suddenly looks much bigger with DeVonta Smith expected to miss the upcoming matchup against the Rams.
For an offense that has been easing Lemon along, the timing could not be better. Sean Mannion has already shown confidence in the rookies development and believes he can handle a larger role, and now the Eagles may need him to do exactly that when the workload opens up. It is the kind of chance young receivers wait for, especially on a roster that has a clear need in the passing game and a game on the calendar that could push Lemon into the spotlight sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles May Be Forced Into A Risky Linebacker Plan Vs Rams
Zack Baun is still in concussion protocol and has not practiced, which leaves the Eagles in a familiar but uncomfortable spot heading into Week 4 against the Rams. If Baun cannot go, Philadelphia appears headed toward a starting linebacker duo of Jihaad Campbell and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a pairing that would put even more pressure on a defense already trying to manage a tough matchup.
Vic Fangio is expected to respond by leaning on coverage adjustments to help those linebackers out, a sign the Eagles may need to protect the middle of the field as much as they attack it. Campbells tackling has already drawn attention, while Trotters preseason work suggested he could handle a larger role, but the Rams are the kind of opponent that can expose any hesitation in a young linebacking group. [Read more 🡒]