Darius Cooper has arrived in the NFL right before our eyes

BY GAVIN PATRICK

Co-Managing Editor/Sports Editor

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver and Tarleton State University alumnus Darius Cooper is making his mark on the big stage.

After spending much of his rookie season on special teams and now finding his way to more playing time on offense, the last three weeks have been Cooper’s best in the NFL.

In Week 2, when the Eagles played the Tennessee Titans, announcers screamed his name in a game for the first time since college, as Cooper caught the game-winning touchdown from quarterback Jalen Hurts on a toe tap in the back of the end zone. It was Cooper’s first career touchdown in the NFL and first go-ahead score since Sept. 28, 2024, when he led Tarleton over Southeastern Louisiana University 36-33 on Family Weekend.

Then, in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams, Cooper set the internet ablaze with a freakish 18-yard touchdown grab where he practically jumped over Rams defensive back Quentin Lake, as the ball skipped off Lake’s fingertips and into Cooper’s grasp. He scored again on a 10-yard catch to put the Eagles up 20-10 going into halftime.

So far through four weeks, Cooper has three touchdowns on five receptions (for 59 yards). Can’t get more efficient than that.

Cooper described his game-winner against the Titans to NBC Sports Philadelphia after the game.

“I was out there, really, to set a pick for Smitty (wide receiver Devonta Smith, who slipped and fell), but how the defense played it, we always gotta have a follow-up on how they play, a counter. So, the second progression was open (himself), J made a great read, a great throw. By the time I looked up, the ball was in the air, grabbed it, made sure I dragged [my feet], and we got the win,” Cooper said.

FOX play-by-play announcer Adam Amin called the touchdown “the biggest catch of his life.” The shock in his voice appeared as if he was genuinely surprised that Cooper pulled it off. Amin must not have been familiar with his game.

The obscurity is beginning to be lifted.

Fans voted Cooper the Eagles Toyota Player of the Week for his performance against the Rams, which is actually more impressive the more it’s studied.

With Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert both ruled out with injuries, Cooper was in line to collect more snaps than usual that day. However, Eagles PR made no mention of Cooper’s opportunity in the weekly injury report, concluding only that “Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon will have an increased role.” So, Cooper went into the game like he usually did: nameless.

As it turned out, Cooper out-snapped Lemon in the game, the Eagles’ first-round draft choice in 2026, and was on the field for 90% of the Eagles’ offensive snaps. Turns out, it was Cooper who was WR2 and earned the first start of his career over Lemon. In an article for SB Nation, Eagles reporter Brandon Lee Gowton said what many fans of Cooper, both from Tarleton and inside Philadelphia, have been thinking: “Good! We've been calling for Cooper to get more playing time.”

Not only did Cooper step into his biggest role yet on the Eagles’ offense when few saw it coming, Hurts looked his way repeatedly in crucial moments.

Cooper’s first touchdown came on a desperation heave from Hurts, with no one else on the field remotely open. That signaled trust in his young receiver. On a fourth-and-goal attempt later in the game, Hurts targeted Cooper again, but the throw was wide and out of his reach. On the Eagles’ final drive, trailing 24-20, Cooper was targeted twice, including on a last-gasp prayer with seven seconds left, when Hurts only had one option: chuck the ball 50 yards downfield to your most physical receiver, which inevitably came up fruitless. But it was the thought that counted.

In all, Cooper led the Eagles in targets for the first time in his young career with seven, amounting to three catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns. Four of those targets came on third or fourth down, and two of the other three each came with limited time remaining at a critical moment in the game. Not bad for a guy who “lacks elite physical traits.”

Life happens fast in the NFL. A month ago, Cooper was beginning the season as Philadelphia’s WR4, finding himself again buried behind a retooled receiver group. Now, as the Eagles continue to struggle offensively and injuries (and a retirement) thin out the depth chart, Cooper may just be the best thing they have going right now.

It helps to have the confidence of your quarterback, and Cooper certainly has that from Hurts. Hurts has been singing Cooper’s praises even dating back to last year, when few others outside of Stephenville knew his name. The time has come for Cooper, and this probably won’t be the last time we mention his name.