The Dallas Cowboys top receiver Amari Cooper has been dealing with a hamstring issue that has limited him in training camp. Fortunately, though, all signs point to him playing Sunday in the Cowboys season opener vs the Los Angeles Rams, as he explained after Thursday's practice.
“I feel good,” Cooper said, per the team's website. “I've been able to become a full participant in the last couple of practices and I've been able to do everything, so I feel really good going into the game.”
Cooper will be lined up against one of the NFL's top cornerbacks in Jalen Ramsey, and he's looking forward to the challenge.
“It's always exciting to go against a top corner or one considered to be one of the best in the league. I think he's a real good player. He has all the intangible assets that you would want in a cornerback: fast, long, can cover, has good ball skills. It's always a challenge, but exciting at the same time.”
The respect between the two is mutual. Last December, Ramsey had some glowing praise for Cooper as well just days before the Cowboys battled the Rams in Arlington.
“In my opinion, I think he's one of the most underrated receivers in the league.”
Jalen Ramsey on Cowboyss WR Amari Cooper: “In my opinion, I think he's one of the most underrated receivers in the league.” pic.twitter.com/er03uYM5Gd
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) December 13, 2019
Both men will be looking to get off to fast starts after lucrative offseasons. Cooper signed a five-year, $100 million dollar deal back in March, and Ramsey inked a five-year, $105 million dollar extension earlier this week, the largest for a cornerback in league history.
Cooper will have another challenge Sunday though, and that's overcoming his road woes. Last season, even though he set career highs in yards (1,189), touchdowns (8), and yards per catch (15.1) most of that damage was done at home. Away from AT&T Stadium, Cooper only caught 27 passes for 320 yards.
One thing that could assist Cooper in getting off to a good start is having the threat of receivers Michael Gallup and rookie sensation CeeDee Lamb on the field with him. Nonetheless, Cooper is starting off the season with a tough assignment going against Ramsey, but that's why he makes $20 million a year, to perform well against the elite cornerbacks in the league.
