Claimed by Cardinals

The Cardinals claimed Cooper off waivers Wednesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Cut loose by the Rams a day earlier, Cooper quickly found a new home in the NFC West. He was named to the Pro Bowl as a return specialist last season, but he played a role in two turnovers during a playoff loss to Atlanta, then dealt with an ankle injury for much of 2018. The woeful Cardinals have nothing to lose by giving Cooper a look on special teams.

Cut by Rams

The Rams waived Cooper on Tuesday, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

Analysis: After emerging from the regular-season opener with an ankle injury, Cooper spent the next nine weeks on injured reserve. Since his return Week 11, he primarily served as a kick returner, bringing out 10 at a clip of 20.2 yards per run back. That's a far cry from his league-leading mark of 27.4 in 2017, and with Todd Gurley (knee) and Justin Davis (shoulder) injured at the moment, Cooper appears to be a roster casualty in order to bolster the backfield for the short term. JoJo Natson will act as…read more

Returns from IR

The Rams officially activated Cooper (ankle) from injured reserve ahead of Monday's game against the Chiefs, Clarence Dennis of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: As anticipated, Cooper will be ready to make his first appearance since Week 1 after enduring no complications with his ankle upon returning to practice last Tuesday. Per Rich Hammond of the Los Angeles Daily News, Cooper is likely to immediately recapture duties as the Rams' top kickoff returner, though JoJo Natson is expected to retain his gig as the team's No. 1 punt returner for at least one more game. Cooper could also quickly settle into a depth role at receiver, though he likely won't…read more

Slated for season debut Monday

The Rams are planning to activate Cooper (ankle) from injured reserve prior to Monday's game against the Chiefs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Cooper was placed on injured reserve after injuring his ankle in the Rams' season-opening win over the Raiders. The 23-year-old was cleared to return to practice less than a week ago and appears to have progressed well during that time. Since Cooper didn't require surgery to address the ankle injury, he shouldn't be far behind the rest of his teammates from a conditioning standpoint. With that in mind, Cooper could reclaim duties as the Rams' top option on kickoff returns while also offering…read more

Cleared to practice

The Rams designated Cooper (ankle) to return from injured reserve Tuesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Thus, Cooper's 21-day window to practice and prove the health of his ankle has opened. If he returns to the 53-man roster, his standing on gameday would be in question. In Cooper's place, Jojo Natson and Blake Countess have performed adeptly as punt and kick returners, respectively. As such, Cooper may have to wait for an opportunity to present itself, whether it's via injury or lack of performance.

Physically able to play

Head coach Sean McVay said Monday that Cooper (ankle) is physically able to play, and there will be more clarity on his situation as the week unfolds, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

Analysis: Cooper has been on injured reserve for the near entirety of the season after injuring his ankle in the Rams' season-opening victory over the Raiders. While he's now eligible to be activated off IR, it's not certain the Rams will make him one of the two players the team is allowed to bring back to the active roster. After all, Jojo Natson and Blake Countess have shown well on punt returns and kick returns, respectively, and Los Angeles may be more inclined to activate players such as cornerback…read more

Sent to IR

Cooper (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

Analysis: Cooper, the Rams' standout return specialist, is dealing with an ankle injury that will require a multi-week absence. The Rams re-signed Jojo Natson on Wednesday to help out in the return game.

Could miss multiple weeks

Cooper (ankle) could miss multiple weeks according to head coach Sean McVay, Rich Hammond of The Orange County Register reports.

Analysis: Cooper suffered an ankle injury during Monday's win over the Raiders and could now be in danger of missing a handful of games. Even worse, backup returner Mike Thomas is also dealing with a groin injury. Look for updates once the practice reports are released this week.

Suffers ankle injury in Oakland

Cooper is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Raiders after suffering an ankle injury.

Analysis: Cooper has managed 75 yards on three kickoffs and just 12 yards on two punt returns Monday night. If he is not able to return to the contest, look for Cooper Kupp and Mike Thomas to potentially take over his responsibilities on special teams.

Productive in preseason win

Cooper brought in three of four targets for 22 yards and a touchdown and returned one punt for nine yards in the Rams' 21-20 preseason win over the Texans on Saturday.

Analysis: With coach Sean McVay treating Saturday's game as anything but a dress rehearsal for the regular season, Cooper saw playing time early in the contest. He hauled in a six-yard touchdown pass from Sean Mannion late in the first quarter and was productive overall before exiting the contest. Cooper has logged just 25 receptions over his first two seasons and has yet to score his first NFL touchdown from scrimmage, but he proved highly valuable on special teams in 2017. Cooper amassed 1,331 yards…read more

Good to go after shoulder surgery

Cooper underwent shoulder surgery after last season, Rich Hammond of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Analysis: Cooper was dogged by a shoulder injury during the first month of his rookie season in 2016 and again in the week before the Rams' divisional-round defeat to the Falcons in January. In that contest, he was involved in a pair of special-teams snafus, leading to 10 points for the visitors. Cooper likely was afflicted by the shoulder issue, enough so that a procedure was ordered up to fix it. While he remains buried on the wide receiver depth chart, expect him to serve as the Rams' undisputed kick…read more

Cooper was involved in two special-teams turnovers in the first quarter of Saturday's 26-13 loss to Atlanta in the wild-card round.

Analysis: Cooper and Blake Countess got their signals crossed on a punt return that was set to be a fair catch, and then Cooper fumbled a kickoff return. With Atlanta recovering both, the special-teams gaffs put the Rams offense in a negative game script and kept the defense on the field for far too long. It was uncharacteristic of Cooper's Pro Bowl campaign, as he proved to be a game-breaking returner in the regular season. Head coach Sean McVay stuck with the former South Carolina standout throughout…read more

Cooper (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Saturday's wild-card game against the Falcons, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Head coach Sean McVay hinted all week Cooper would be OK for the Rams' playoff opener, and the wide receiver upheld his end of the bargain with a full practice Thursday. Expect Cooper to handle the bulk of kickoff and punt returns Saturday, but snaps on offense will be few and far between behind Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins and Cooper Kupp.

Head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that he expects Cooper (shoulder) to play Saturday against the Falcons, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Despite missing both practices to date this week, Cooper should be available in the wild-card round. Assuming he suits up, he primarily will contribute as a returner as the top of the Rams' receiving corps is otherwise healthy at the moment.

Cooper (shoulder) didn't participate in practice Tuesday, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

Analysis: Cooper's biggest role with the Rams this season has been on special teams, as he totaled 1,331 total yards on kickoff and punt returns. He played 64 offensive snaps and hauled in two of four targets for 30 yards during Sunday's 34-13 loss to San Francisco with the Los Angeles regulars resting for the playoffs. However, if he's healthy enough to take the field Saturday against Atlanta, the second-year receiver will likely be relegated back to being used primarily as a return man and offer…read more

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Cooper's teammates Robert Woods, Sammy Watkins and Cooper Kupp (knee) won't get much playing time, if any, in Sunday's game against the 49ers, Rich Hammond of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Analysis: Selected to the Pro Bowl as a return specialist, Cooper caught nine of 13 targets for only 54 yards all season. He figures to get plenty of snaps in Week 17 as the Rams rest a number of starters, but he'll have to catch passes from Sean Mannion instead of Jared Goff, without the services of LT Andrew Whitworth to keep the 49ers' pass rushers at bay.

Cooper caught one of two targets for one yard during Sunday's 43-35 loss to the Eagles.

Analysis: The Rams' offense has been hot of late, with 25 or more points in seven of eight games. Cooper, as the fifth receiver, hasn't gotten much into the fun. The second-year receiver saw the field for just seven of 48 plays on Sunday and has yet to top 22 yards or score a touchdown in a game this season.