Amari Cooper was not on the field for several pivotal plays in the Dallas Cowboys’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, and that could create some tension between the star receiver and the team going forward.
Cooper has battled numerous injuries throughout the season, but he said after the game that he did not sub himself out when the Cowboys were trailing 17-9 and facing 4th-and-8 with 1:26 remaining. He told reporters the “coaches took me out” after he ran a deep route on the previous play. According to Clarence Hill of the Fort-Worth Star Telegram, the coaching staff felt Cooper was not playing well and the Cowboys were better off with him on the sideline.
the Cowboys limited Amari Cooper snaps in the 4th quarter against the eagles because he wasn't playing well, per sources. They legitimately didn't think having him in on 4th and 8 have them the best chance to win. if he is not hurt, this will be revisited in contract talks
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 23, 2019
Hill also noted that the situation will be revisited when the Cowboys discuss a contract extension with Cooper, which may not bode well for the team’s chances of re-signing him.
Jason Garrett has made a number of questionable decisions this season, and not having Cooper or Randall Cobb on the field on a critical 4th-and-8 Sunday was one of them. He also decided not to go for it late in the game on 4th-and-1 when he punted and 4th-and-4 when he opted for a field goal. The Cowboys could have clinched the NFC East with a win, and now they need two things to happen in Week 17 in order to make the playoffs.
If Cooper is angry that the coaching staff benched him for certain plays on Sunday, that may not be a problem when it is time to sit down at the negotiating table. With the way things are going, it seems highly unlikely that Garrett is going to keep his job, anyway.
