Mari Cooper has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play for the Cleveland Browns against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Cooper was forced to leave the Browns’ Week 13 game against the Los Angeles Rams after being hit in the head by a dropped pass. He left the game early and went to the locker room.
Cooper didn’t get much practice time this week in preparation for the Jaguars, but the veteran pass-catcher will be ready. He was recovering from a rib injury suffered against the Denver Broncos, but he now has more time to recover.
Cooper is an important part of a struggling passing game this season. He leads the Browns in receiving yards with 799 on 50 receptions.
He is no stranger to playing while injured. Cooper was injured for much of last season and required offseason core surgery to recover.
In his first season with the Browns, he caught 78 passes for 1,160 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns.
Joe Flacco praises Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper
The Browns have yet to name a starter, but Joe Flacco appears to be the obvious choice. Flacco started against the Rams and provided the Browns with some of the best quarterback play they’d seen all season.
Flacco completed 23 of 44 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. A costly fourth-quarter interception ruined the former Super Bowl MVP’s otherwise solid day.
He didn’t have much time to work with Cooper, who left the game against the Rams in the second quarter. Flacco, on the other hand, had high praise for his top pass-catcher.
“He’s a special player,” Flacco said on Thursday. “With the way he runs his routes and catches the football, he definitely pops off the screen.” So I’m really hoping he can get out there and help this team. He’s a celebrity.”
If Flacco does not start, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson will. This season, the rookie has struggled at times, but the Browns have been pleased with his development.
“I believe he will continue to rise.” A newcomer to the game. “He’s improved since the day he stepped foot on campus,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think it’s just understanding the game, this system that operates in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage.” I believe you’ve seen him make significant progress.”
The Browns have lost their starting right tackle. Dawand Jones
The Browns will be without starting right tackle Dawand Jones against the Jaguars. He hurt his right knee during practice on Thursday.
Jones has a commanding presence. Jones, listed at 6-foot-8 and 375 pounds, has been able to hold down the edge since Jack Conklin’s season-ending injury.
It’s especially difficult for the Browns, who are already without starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. With an MCL injury, he was placed on injured reserve in early November.
Geron Christian is expected to start at left tackle against the Jaguars, with James Hudson III filling in for Jones.
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