Brandin Cooks ruled out, goes to Pittsburgh to see concussion specialist
The Los Angeles Rams will be without one of their best offensive players this week, and perhaps beyond that.
Receiver Brandin Cooks, who has a history of concussions, is still in the concussion protocol. ESPN’s Lindsay Thiry reported that Rams coach Sean McVay said Cooks is traveling to visit a concussion specialist in Pittsburgh and Cooks has been ruled out this week. Coincidentally, the Rams play at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Josh Reynolds will play a bigger role in the Rams offense. He can be productive, but losing Cooks is a big blow for the Rams.
Brandin Cooks has five known concussions
Cooks’ history with concussions is scary. He has five known concussions in his career, Thiry said.
The two most recent head injuries came in a short period of time. Cooks suffered a concussion in Week 5, then was cleared to play in the Rams’ next game. Cooks suffered another concussion in Week 8 and hasn’t played since.
Cooks also suffered a high-profile concussion on a huge hit in Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles, when he was with the New England Patriots.
That’s a heavy concussion history for someone who turned 26 on Sept. 25.
Cooks has four straight 1,000-yard seasons
McVay has said since Cooks’ last concussion that the receiver’s health is the highest priority.
Football-wise, the Rams will miss Cooks. He has four straight 1,000-yard seasons. He had just 402 yards and one touchdown this season, but he’s a big-play threat whenever he is on the field. Reynolds will be asked to fill his spot, and the passing game will rely more on Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.
Perhaps Cooks will return this season for the Rams, but that isn’t the primary concern at the moment.
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Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
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