Heading into 2019, the Dallas Cowboys are about as healthy as they’ve been going into any week one. With the Cowboys facing their division rival, the New York Giants, the one player there should be a bit o injury concern about is Amari Cooper.
Amari Cooper has been sitting out a month with plantar fasciitis and didn’t play in a single preseason game. As regular-season practices are underway, Cooper returned as he Dallas Cowboys begin preparations for week one of the season.
Amari Cooper said he was able to do a lot in his first practice back. He thinks he’s good to play Sunday against the Giants. He played through a foot injury his rookie year that was worse. He said that one hurt when he cut, but this one doesn’t. “I didn’t feel any pain today.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 2, 2019
There may not be a more important piece to the offense than Cooper. As we saw in 2018, Amari Cooper was the spark that ignited the offense and the team to a 7-2 finish in the regular season, helping the Dallas Cowboys win the NFC East and advance to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Michael Gallup has made a ton of strides this offseason and looks to be an ascending player heading into his second year, but he’s still not quite the player that Amari Cooper is. Cooper is a threat to make a play every time the ball is thrown his way because of his elite ability to get open and create separation.
The place where Cooper is key for the Dallas Cowboys is on third downs where he led the team in that stat in 2018 despite only playing nine games for America’s Team.
Cooper’s health is a story to continue to monitor, but things are trending in the right direction for him and the rest of the roster. Having Cooper and rest of the offense practicing and seemingly ready to go for Sunday is huge for the Dallas Cowboys.
A team with Super Bowl aspirations can’t afford a slow start and that can happen when one of your top offensive weapons isn’t available. Cooper’s fought through injuries in the past to be productive.
The Cowboys number one wide receiver is the most important offensive piece for the team to have success in 2019. Having him healthy and up to speed to start the season is huge for a passing game that took off in the second half of the season.
With Dak Prescott taking steps forward in his development this offseason and Kellen Moore taking the reigns as offensive coordinator, the passing game makes become more of a focal point in 2019. If the preseason is any indication, Prescott and the passing offense look ready to go.
For the Dallas Cowboys to take the steps they want tot take as a team and capture their sixth Lombardi Trophy, Amari Cooper will be a big part of that. His ability to win in every part of the field and take the ball for a score every time he touches the ball makes him huge for the Dallas Cowboys.
Ezekiel Elliott may have been named the team’s MVP for 2018, but if the two halves of last season are any indication Amari Cooper was obviously the Dallas Cowboys’ most valuable player.
Amari Cooper starting the regular season practicing and ready for week one will have a huge impact on the Dallas Cowboys fortunes early in the regular season. A lot of people are underrating the Dallas Cowboys’ Offense in 2018, but having Amari Cooper for a full season is one of the biggest reason that they’ll be so successful this year.
Feet may cause problems to players, but Cooper is trending in the right direction with his health and if it holds up, he’ll be causing fits for the New York Giants in week one.
