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Undrafted Rookie Darius Cooper Emerges as Roster Contender After Preseason Breakout

His six-catch, 82-yard outing with a touchdown against the Bengals earned praise from coach Nick Sirianni, positioning him as a top candidate for the Eagles’ final wide receiver slot.

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Overview

  • Cooper caught six of seven targets for 82 yards and a 20-yard touchdown in Thursday’s 34-27 preseason win over the Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field.
  • Since signing as an undrafted free agent in May, the Tarleton State product has translated his FCS-leading 1,450 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns into steady standouts in camp.
  • Head coach Nick Sirianni praised Cooper’s ball skills and physical tools, and general manager Howie Roseman has taken notice of his rapid improvement.
  • With A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson locked into starting roles, Cooper’s surge places him at the forefront of a crowded battle for the remaining wide receiver spots.
  • An early “welcome to the NFL” moment lining up beside Jalen Hurts in OTAs highlights his learning curve and ability to quickly adapt to pro-level complexity.