Amari Cooper frustrated with diminished role in Dallas Cowboys struggling offense
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper has let it be known that he’s frustrated with his diminished role in the team’s struggling offense.
Cooper, one of the league’s highest-paid receivers at $20 million annually, has 53 catches for 683 yards and six touchdowns this season.
But after missing two games in November with COVID-19, he has caught just nine passes in the past three games combined.
And even though the Cowboys have won three straight games, the offensive has visibly struggled, scoring only six touchdowns in the unit’s last 18 trips into the red zone.
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore blamed Cooper’s lack of opportunities as on how defenses are playing the Cowboys and the need to spread the ball around to the team’s other targets.
Cooper disagreed.
“Opposing defenses aren’t really doing nothing,” he said. “We got a whole bunch of play makers on offense and there is only one ball. I think it’s more that than the defense. I’m not getting double-teamed or something like that.”
Cooper understands the Cowboys have other play makers, but that doesn’t stop him from getting upset when the he doesn’t get the ball and the offense is not producing.
“It’s very frustrating,” Cooper said. “But that’s not something that I can really control. But I do think there’s a benefit in me getting the ball in those important situations, like red zone and third down, because I know what I’m gonna do, you know what I mean? I’m just going to stay ready for when that time comes, hopefully it’s soon.”
Cooper not only reiterated his stance when he was asked on 105.3 The Fan if he’s frustrated by the offense’s struggles, particularly when he’s not getting the ball, but he doubled down.
“I got to be honest, it actually does,” Cooper said. “Because, yeah, we’re winning, but the defense is playing a huge part in that. We’re not really as explosive as we should be. We’re not converting a lot of their turnovers into touchdowns. A lot of them are field goals. And I feel like I could be a huge part of that, so that’s what frustrates me.”
Cooper has led the Cowboys in receptions every year since joining the team in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders midway through the 2018 season.
Through 14 games this season, he is team’s third-leading receiver behind CeeDee Lamb and tight end Dalton Schultz, who have 70 and 61 catches, respectively.
“I think I can do more in the red zone if I get some targets,” Cooper said. “I think I can definitely help change that.”
Cowboys place two more on COVID-19
The Cowboys placed cornerback Jourdan Lewis and receiver Simi Fehoko on the COVID-19 list, bringing the total list of players to five.
They join safety Malik Hooker, defensive tackle Trysten Hill, and practice squad running back JaQuan Hardy on the list.
Neither will be available for the Sunday’s game against Washington.
This story was originally published December 24, 2021 at 3:28 PM.
