Dirty Work

PHILADELPHIA — Bolting downfield and separating from coverage, Darius Cooper beelined toward the end zone. Cutting through the sticky summer morning air was a Jalen Hurts moonshot heading in his direction.

Coverage from cornerback Kelee Ringo and safety Marcus Epps bore down, though the ball from Hurts was perfectly placed, giving only his receiver a chance to make the play.

The diving attempt from Cooper would prove unsuccessful, however, as Epps arrived in time to deny the completion. It would have been an impressive feat to pull off, to be sure, but Cooper has developed a flair for making the difficult appear routine.

Cooper, 24, is in the midst of his second training camp in Philadelphia after defying considerable roster odds last summer as an undrafted free agent. The Tarleton State product still approaches each practice with a businesslike mindset, intent on being consistent in his habits and embracing every opportunity.

ITB PHOTO/Andrew DiCecco: Second-year WR Darius Cooper is having another strong training camp for the Eagles.

Cooper, through six practices, has made a head-turning play in each, producing for the offense whenever his number is called. There’s an urgent quality to his game, perhaps a byproduct of having to scrape for everything he’s earned in his football career.

Over time, those moments effectively molded a crater-sized chip on his shoulder. A chip, Cooper says, that still remains.

“Most definitely,” he said. “Most definitely. Last year is in the past, so this is a new year. Be where my feet is, and I have that same mentality for sure.”

Daily effort and consistency have served as the foundation for Cooper’s early success in camp, where he’s distinguished himself as one of the Eagles’ top receivers.

Reps tend to spike when a player maximizes the opportunities afforded, and Cooper is a prime example of that.

Take Tuesday’s practice, for instance. The Eagles were operating in the red zone and the offense was in need of a jolt. The high-leverage scenario began ominously, with linebacker Zack Baun knifing into the backfield and closing in on Andy Dalton. The veteran quarterback would ultimately salvage the rep, rifling a pass in the back of the end zone.

Soaring to reel it in, one-handed, was Cooper, who appeared to stick the landing, tapping both feet inbounds.

“Down in the red zone, got-to-have-it situation,” he recounted. “And Andy put it up there, and by the grace of God, I was able to bring it down. I don’t think I got my foot in, though, but it was still a pretty good catch. So, just, really working on the fundamentals; getting my drag in, getting to my back. So, things of that nature. The catch, that’s just extra work. The catch is going to happen, but it’s like what you do after that. Do you get your foot in? Do you get on your back? Do you do the fundamentals? So, that’s what I’m focused on.”

Cooper even generated buzz on the first day of camp, on one occasion slipping behind defensive back Cooper DeJean and laying out to pull in a deep strike over the middle.

From the start of camp, Cooper has performed like one of the Eagles’ top five receivers.

But the reality is that, as depth receiver, versatility becomes paramount. Game day targets aren’t as frequent and the job description changes.

And as a nod to his grittiness as a blocker in different aspects of the game, Cooper was classified as a “dirty work” player this spring by Nick Sirianni. Cooper has no qualms with that, or anything he’s asked to do. He only subscribes to the sentiment that whatever the directives might entail, “you go out there and do it 110%.”

Right now, the Eagles are actively implementing a new offensive system under first-year coordinator Sean Mannion. Complicating matters is that the Eagles are banged-up at wide receiver — two of the top three players atop the positional hierarchy are currently sidelined — presenting a potential hurdle when it comes to pushing past sticking points in the passing game.

The demands of every position group are sure to change in light of the remodel, making growing pains inescapable. But Cooper, who praised the new scheme, is prepared to fulfill any role.

“Just whatever they ask of me,” he said. “Still got to do the dirty work. Got to block on the perimeter. Still got to have that mentality on special teams as well. So, I’m in the same mindset.

“Nothing is changing for me, but, of course, sharpening my things on offense as well, with my routes and everything like that. But still in that same mindset as last year, like, hey, I’m going to be a dog on the offense. I’m going to be a dog on special teams. And that’s what I’m going to do.”

Though probably the furthest thing from Cooper’s mind, a convincing case can be made for a more prominent offensive role for him in 2026. From an intangible standpoint, Cooper exemplifies the toughness and character components that Sirianni values. He’s also earned a reputation as a diligent worker behind the scenes.

But it’s been Cooper’s budding connection with Hurts this summer that is particularly notable. The trust forged last summer was further solidified this offseason, as Cooper and other Eagles skill players joined Hurts in Florida for an off-campus get-together.

Cooper not only appears to be reaping the benefits from the time on task; he’s returned to the Jefferson Health Training Complex a better version of the player who took his first training camp by storm.

So, it was of no surprise when Hurts, in a post-practice interview with NFL Network, already had someone top-of-mind when asked to name receiver who has emerged in camp.

“I think Darius Cooper has done a really good job,” Hurts said. “He has always been a big body, physical, strong hands guy. But just to see how he’s transitioned going into Year 2. I’m definitely excited for him, along with the rest of them.”

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is the Eagles beat reporter for InsideTheBirds.com.