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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper had a record-breaking season in 2023, becoming the first Browns' receiver to achieve 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. In Week 16, the star receiver set a franchise record with 265 receiving yards, joining Terrell Owens as the only player to have 200-yard receiving games with three different teams.
Cooper missed the team's Week 17 game due to the short turnaround to Thursday Night Football, and he then sat out Week 18 along with every other Browns' starter. The 29-year-old averaged over 15 PPR points per game despite catching passes from four different quarterbacks.
When is Cooper coming back to action? What is his fantasy football outlook when he returns? Let's dive in.
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Amari Cooper Injury Update for Fantasy Football
Cooper (heel) expects to play in the Wild Card round and was close to suiting up back in Week 17 in the team's last meaningful game. Elijah Moore returned from his concussion scare in Week 18, but the Browns desperately need their star wideout if they hope to make any sort of run.
It's worth noting that Cooper has appeared on the injury report throughout the year due to rest and his heel injury. He even mentioned that he injured it on the second play versus Houston before playing 79 percent of the snaps and dominating.
Barring a major setback at practice this week, the former Raiders and Cowboys star should be all set to continue this impressive run with Joe Flacco at the helm. Throughout his career, he's played through enough injuries and has shown a determination to push himself to play, regardless of others' advice.
Amari Cooper Fantasy Football Outlook
Throughout the first portion of the season, the biggest question mark with Cooper was whether Deshaun Watson could stay healthy. Cooper dominated whenever Watson played and looked to be a reliable fantasy asset, but the production was significantly worse when P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson had to make starts.
Once Joe Flacco arrived, Cooper put up at least 77 yards in the last three games together, including his record-setting game against Houston. He caught 11 of 15 targets for 265 yards and two touchdowns, earning over 50 PPR points and delivering a career-best performance despite tweaking his heel even more.
The Browns face the Texans again in the playoffs, who allowed the 17th-most points per game to receivers this season. Houston ranks 23rd in DVOA against the pass, and they predominantly run cover-three and cover-four, against which Cooper averages around three yards per route run. As long as he suits up, he ranks as a top-five receiver option for Wild Card Weekend.
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