Brandin Cooks Injury: Updates on Saints Star's Wrist and Return
November 17, 2014
New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Brandin Cooks has been impressive this season, but he will not take the field again this year due to a wrist injury.
Continue for updates.
Tuesday, Nov. 18
Saints Place Cooks on Injured Reserve
ESPN's Field Yates had the report on Cooks:
Field Yates @FieldYatesSource: The Saints have placed rookie WR Brandin Cooks (wrist) on IR, ending his 2014 season.
11/18/2014, 10:18:08 PM
Cooks Suffers Thumb Injury
Victor Howell of CoxSportsTV.com first reported the diagnosis:
HowellOnCST @HowellOnCST(2 of 2) Cooks suffered a broken thumb & could miss as many as 2-4 games. Saints injury list is getting long & worrisome. Time for next up!
11/17/2014, 3:04:35 PM
Cooks' agent, Jeff Sperbeck confirmed the news regarding his client on his Twitter account:
The NOVO Agency @TheNOVOAgencyConfirming that @brandincooks had successful thumb surgery & according to dr, should return in approx 4-6 weeks.
11/17/2014, 6:30:51 PM
ESPN.com's Mike Triplett weighed in on the impact of Cooks' injury:
Mike Triplett @MikeTriplettNormally #Saints can absorb the loss of any 1 playmaker in the short term. But Cooks injury comes at time when offense is really stalling...
11/17/2014, 3:41:02 PM
Mike Triplett @MikeTriplett#Saints will also need a new punt returner while Brandin Cooks is out with broken thumb.
11/17/2014, 3:41:51 PM
Mike Triplett @MikeTriplett#Saints have depth at WR w/ 6 on the active roster, but Robert Meachem has also been dealing with ankle injury. Joe Morgan becomes important
11/17/2014, 3:42:54 PM
As Triplett points out, the prospect of playing without Cooks is particularly worrisome for the Saints because of his overall potential and their recent offensive woes.
Cooks, a consensus All-American and a member of the Pac-12 Conference First Team in 2013, accumulated 550 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 53 catches before the injury. He also rushed the ball seven times for 73 yards and a score through his first 10 games.
Between Marques Colston, Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills, Joseph Morgan and even Travaris Cadet, the Saints have an embarrassment of riches in the passing attack for Drew Brees, though it hasn't resulted in many wins this season. This injury still hurts, however, because Cooks is a speedster who can open up underneath routes for others by beating cornerbacks over the top.
The Saints will have to hope Cooks is as quick in the injury-recovery department as he is on the field in order to further develop chemistry between the rookie and Brees. Still, the offense should be capable of replacing his production elsewhere, and his injury shouldn't have a long-term effect on his career.
For fantasy owners looking to make a run to the playoffs with Cooks, it's time to look elsewhere.