How Would the Browns Adjust if Cooper Doesn't Play?
The Cleveland Browns practiced for the final time before they travel to Pittsburgh for what is shaping up to be an important one for both teams. The Browns are trying to go to 2-0 for the first time in 30 years. The Steelers are trying to get rid of the bad taste in their mouths after suffering an ugly loss to the 49ers.
The big news from today was that Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper suffered an injury at practice to his groin. This is a significant development because Cooper had a groin injury that he played through at the end of last season that led to him having offseason surgery to repair his core muscle.
After practice, head coach Kevin Stefanski said that the team needed to evaluate the injury further before making a final determination but for now his status is questionable for the game. Fortunately for the team general manager Andrew Berry reinforced the offense with depth at receiver.
"I would tell you if we are without Amari, we will adjust," Stefanski said after practice. Let's take a look at what those adjustments might be should they be forced to play without Cooper. With an unexpected injury late, the problem of adjusting your game plan that you practiced all week can be a bigger issue than the loss of a player.
First, you would likely see the team adjust their expected personnel groupings. Jordan Akins is a talented pass catcher and my first instinct would be to try to get him on the field more along with David Njoku. This would put you in more two receiver and two tight end sets referred to as 12 personnel.
Next let's look at who will fill his role in the receiver room in three receiver sets. Cooper typically will lineup allover but I would think in this game we might see more combinations of rookie Cedric Tillman at the X, with Donovan Peoples-Jones at the Z, and Elijah Moore operating out of the slot primarily. DPJ would also see some snaps from the slot with Moore at the Z.
Finally, Marquise Goodwin and David Bell will see an uptick in usage but I don't think it will impact things with them much. Goodwin will be brought in for snaps to put pressure on the secondary while Bell will see some slot snaps especially when running out of 11 personnel.
Hopefully, Cooper will be able to go and make these points mute, however, Cooper shouldn't feel the need to play hurt the way he did last year because of lack of talent behind him. Berry and the front office were wise to mitigate the risk of an injury prone receiver who is a year older coming off of surgery.
