The Cleveland Browns are heading into this season’s final edition of ‘Thursday Night Football’ without one of their top playmakers.
Amari Cooper is inactive for the game against the New York Jets as the wide receiver deals with a heel injury he sustained during the Week 16 win over the Houston Texans.
“I came down on one play, kind of got banged up, and generally if somebody kind of gets banged up, they don’t know what they can do after that, but I just kept going,” Cooper told reporters this week, according to Cleveland.com.
Cooper, who leads the Browns with 1,250 receiving yards, is coming off a performance in which he set the Browns’ single-game receiving record with 265 yards.
Cleveland can secure its first playoff berth since 2020 with a win or tie against the Jets.
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Here’s the latest on Cooper’s outlook:
Amari Cooper inactive
The Browns announced that Cooper was inactive
Amari Cooper status updates vs. Jets
Cooper is officially listed as questionable for Thursday’s game.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that Cooper is hopeful he can play, but his status is up in the air and might not become clearer until closer to kickoff.
With Joe Flacco taking the reins to the Browns’ offense, Cooper has seen his production explode. The ninth-year veteran has recorded 22 catches for 465 yards and three touchdowns in his last three games, which have all been Cleveland wins.
Browns injury report
Cooper isn’t the only injury concern for the Browns headed into Thursday.
Punter Corey Bojorquez is listed as doubtful with a quad injury. Matt Haack was signed to the team’s practice squad this week.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Riley Patterson, whom the team signed this week, is set to fill in.
Safety Juan Thornhill (calf) and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (knee) are listed as questionable, while defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (pectoral) is out.
