The Dallas Cowboys dealt with numerous injuries last year, headlined by the season-ending ankle injury to Dak Prescott. The quarterback is now dealing with a shoulder issue this summer, and one of his top targets—star receiver Amari Cooper —is out as well after ankle surgery during the offseason.
Earlier in the week, Cooper made it seem as if his return to Cowboys practice was around the corner, calling himself “close to 100-percent healthy.” In a recent radio interview, he sounds a bit farther away.
“I’m supposed to be getting out there pretty soon,” he said during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan, via Sports Illustrated. “A couple of weeks.”
That makes it sound as if Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game won’t be the only preseason matchup that he misses. Prescott, star offensive linemen Zach Martin and Tyron Smith, and new safety acquisition Malik Hooker are among the 16 Cowboys players that missed Thursday’s date with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
#CowboysNation BREAKING#Cowboys Amari Cooper Reveals New Injury Timetable to @1053TheFanhttps://t.co/vdGJ2lTvsj via @fishsports
— fishsports (@fishsports) August 8, 2021
Amari Cooper said the longer timeline comes after he was in “communication with trainers.” The Dallas Cowboys have said they will be very cautious in handling Prescott’s injury, and Cooper may be no different.
The most important thing is having a full complement of star players for Week 1 of the NFL season. On Sept. 9, the Cowboys face the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers to open the year.
Last year’s 6-10 season was deeply disappointing, especially considering how bad the NFC East was. Mike McCarthy can’t afford another season like that, and getting his full roster healthy is crucial.
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