The Jets slipped back into the loss column Sunday, falling just one touchdown behind AFC East-rival New England Patriots behind a series of missed opportunities and costly mistakes by the O-line.
But one silver lining may be found in rookie Omar Cooper Jr., who made quite a statement as he took the field for the first time in over a month.
The 22-year-old wideout has been on IR since Week 1, when he sustained a high ankle sprain in the process of recording a 30-yard catch-and-run for his first NFL reception. He returned to the Jets lineup Sunday, leading all players — on both teams — in receiving yards (103) for his first career 100-yard game. Garrett Wilson's 44 were the second-highest on the Jets.
"It was a great feeling," Cooper said after the game. "It felt good to finally be back out there."
Cooper, drafted 30th overall in this summer's NFL Draft, caught six of his seven targets Sunday, including a 48-yard pass that resulted in New York's first touchdown of the day. He almost recorded his first NFL touchdown on the Jets' opening drive, but it was waved off after an offensive pass interference call on Tim Patrick.
Though he's played less than two full games so far, he already seems to be someone quarterback Geno Smith can rely on.
"I think Omar did a tremendous job at coming back from injury," Smith said. "He fought just to get back out there, and what he did was showcase who he is: He's a playmaker. He's a guy who finds ways to make catches. The tough catches — he makes them look easy. Really impressed with the way that he performed, and looking forward to building on that."
Running back Braelon Allen agreed, noting that even though the Jets need "to stop playing against the Jets," Cooper was a bright spot on the teams's offense.
"He's shown flashes [of his ability], obviously, the one catch that he had the first week," Allen said. "Battled his way back and made some big plays for us today."