DALLAS — It appears Wilmington native Jonathan Cooper has found a new landing spot just in time for the NFL postseason. According to Nick Shock of NFL.com, Cooper agreed to terms with the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday just days after working out for the organization following his release from the Cleveland Browns.
This will be Cooper’s fourth stop in his brief NFL career after being drafted with the seventh overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2013 draft. Injuries plagued the start of his career, suffering a broken leg in the Cardinals final preseason game during his rookie season.
He was never able to find stability under Coach Bruce Arians in the desert and traded to the New England Patriots leading into 2016 training camp.
Injuries once again hampered the Hoggard High School alum. He was carded off the field during New England’s first full-padded practice in late July. Cooper was eventually released on Oct. 8 and claimed by Cleveland off waivers. He played in five games for the Browns, making three starts before being waived by the Browns on Dec. 27.
Dallas is the number one team in the NFC moving into the playoffs, with home field advantage and a first-round bye. The Cowboys are among the league’s best rushing teams, second in the NFL with 149.8 rushing yards per game. Dallas is led by rookie running back, Ezekiel Elliott, an MVP candidate, as the Cowboys boast one of the top offensive lines.
Cooper was picked up mainly to add depth to an already potent front seven, according to Shock. Dallas will find out its NFC Divisional Round playoff opponent following this weekend wild card match ups. The deal with Cooper is reportedly only through the playoffs as he will become an unrestricted free agent in March.
