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NFL·RECAP·October 18, 2026 05:50 PM ET

Omar Cooper Jr. catches first career NFL touchdown in Week 7 return

New York activated the No. 30 overall pick on Saturday.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read
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Omar Cooper Jr. has had some big catches in his career 💥 The @IndianaFootball champ added another one today on his firs Via @B1Gfootball on X

What happened: The former Indiana national champion wide receiver reached the end zone against New England on Sunday after practicing in full on Friday despite carrying a questionable designation into the weekend. Quarterback Geno Smith credited the rookie for making difficult grabs look routine, while Cooper noted it felt good to be back on the field contributing.

Why it matters: The score provides an immediate boost to the Jets' receiving corps in Cooper's first appearance since an ankle sprain sidelined him in mid-September. Producing right away in the passing attack solidifies his snap share alongside Smith as the offense builds chemistry midseason.

By the numbers: Cooper's recovery timeline spanned five weeks: negative ankle X-rays on Sept. 13, placement on injured reserve on Sept. 20, designation for return on Oct. 14, and active-roster elevation on Oct. 17.

What to watch: New York's medical staff will evaluate how Cooper's ankle responds to live game reps before setting his practice workload for Week 8.

Sources

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