NFL

Jets receive injury boost as rookie Omar Cooper Jr. returns to face Patriots

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 16, 2026, 21:36 IST

New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is set to return from injury against the New England Patriots, though the team remains without Breece Hall and Adonai Mitchell for Sunday's clash.

Jets receive injury boost as rookie Omar Cooper Jr. returns to face Patriots

The New York Jets are set to welcome back rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots. Cooper, who has been sidelined since suffering a high-ankle sprain on the opening drive of the season, was a full participant in Friday’s practice and is officially set to be activated from injured reserve.

The return of the first-round pick provides a much-needed lift to a receiving unit that has been hampered by injuries throughout the early stages of the season. Head coach Aaron Glenn expressed optimism regarding the rookie's impact, noting the explosive potential he displayed during his brief debut against the Tennessee Titans, where he recorded a 30-yard reception.

Injury updates and roster outlook

While Cooper’s return bolsters the offense, the Jets will remain without two key starters. Running back Breece Hall will miss his third consecutive game due to a quadriceps injury, and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell is set to sit out his fourth straight contest following a surgical procedure on his right hand last month. The team remains hopeful that both players will be available for selection next week.

The offensive line will also be missing left guard Dylan Parham, who is ruled out for the third game in a row with a knee injury. On the defensive side, edge rusher Joseph Ossai continues to struggle with an ankle issue and will miss his third game of the season. Ossai, a significant free-agent acquisition, has dealt with persistent injury setbacks since the start of training camp.

Despite the absences, there is positive news regarding rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq. After sustaining a concussion in last week’s victory over the Cleveland Browns, Sadiq practiced fully on Friday and is in the final stages of clearing concussion protocols. With Cooper and Sadiq back in the fold, the Jets look to build on their 2-3 record. In the absence of Hall, the team will continue to rely on Braelon Allen, who is coming off a career-best performance of 116 rushing yards.