The Eagles may be in the middle of a rough stretch, but Darius Cooper has done plenty to keep some optimism alive.
In Philadelphia’s 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, Cooper was one of the team’s few bright spots. He caught two first-half touchdowns and finished with three receptions for 33 yards and two scores, leading the Eagles in catches, yards, and touchdowns for the game.
That production has pushed his season line to five catches for 59 yards and three touchdowns, which is enough to make a simple case: Cooper has earned more snaps. Whether DeVonta Smith or Hollywood Brown is available or not, his play has made the argument for a bigger role.
Sunday showed exactly why. Cooper found two different ways to beat the Rams, and both touchdowns mattered.
On his first score, Jalen Hurts underthrew him even though Cooper was open in the end zone. Cooper adjusted on the fly, nearly had to defend the ball himself as a Rams defender threatened to intercept it, then went over the top and pulled it in for the touchdown. It was the Eagles’ best scoring play of the year.
The second touchdown looked a lot like the one he scored in the Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans. Again, he was wide open in the back of the end zone, and again Hurts found him for six.
That’s been the pattern with Cooper: when the ball comes his way, good things happen. All five of his catches have turned into positive, meaningful plays for Philadelphia.
He’s also made his presence felt on special teams, where he has nine tackles through four games. For a wide receiver, that’s a huge number - and it shows he’s been willing to contribute any way the Eagles need.
The problem is what has happened after his strong games. The Eagles have a habit of going away from him the next week, and that can’t keep happening. Cooper has shown enough to stay involved in the offense instead of disappearing from the game plan.
That becomes even more important heading into Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Smith and Brown’s statuses remain unclear, and reports say Smith could miss multiple games, which could keep him out of London with Philadelphia.
If that’s the case, the path is open for Cooper to step into a larger role again. Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon will draw attention, but Cooper has the kind of skill set that can slip through and make a defense pay.
He’s already shown he can do it. Now the Eagles need to give him the chance to keep doing it.
In Other News...
Eagles Backfield Trouble Just Forced A Telling Move Before London
With Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby both dealing with injuries, the Eagles had little choice but to add another body to the backfield before heading to London. The team is elevating Dameon Pierce to the 53-man roster, a practical move that speaks to how thin the running back room has become as Philadelphia tries to stay on schedule heading into an overseas game.
Pierce brings a familiar profile as a former Texans runner who has flashed enough to be viewed as a useful depth option. For the Eagles, the question now is less about upside than availability, because the next stretch will test how much of the offense can be carried without two of its expected contributors in the backfield. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Rainy Loss Sparked A Viral Moment Fans Didn't See
Rainy Sundays in Philadelphia can make even a routine sideline assignment feel like a test of endurance, and Erin Andrews gave fans a glimpse of just how messy it got during the Eagles-Rams game. The longtime broadcaster posted behind-the-scenes photos and video on Instagram showing her preparing to work through the wet conditions, offering a look at the kind of cleanup and constant adjustment that comes with covering an NFL game in a downpour.
The weather added another layer to a game that already turned sharply against Philadelphia, as the Rams rallied for a 24-20 win. Kyren Williams helped fuel the comeback, while Andrews post ended up becoming one of those viral reminders that the broadcast booth and sideline have their own battle when the rain starts falling. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles May Need O-Line Help More Than The Trade Market Can Offer
The offensive line market has become one of the leagues quiet pressure points, and Philadelphia is right in the middle of it. With injuries and retirements thinning out depth across the NFL, the Eagles join teams like the Packers, Patriots and Ravens as clubs that could be looking for help, even if the trade buzz around that need has not really started to build yet.
ESPNs Dan Graziano pointed to that group as possible participants if the market ever opens up, but the problem is obvious: good linemen are hard to find and even harder to pry loose. For the Eagles, the bigger issue may be whether the help they need is even available in a market where demand is already outpacing supply. [Read more 🡒]