The Philadelphia Eagles might be going through a lot right now, but some players on the team should still keep the fan base excited, like Darius Cooper.
In the team's 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, Cooper emerged as a star for what he did for Philly. He caught two first-half touchdowns and led the team with three receptions for 33 yards and two touchdowns.
This season, Cooper has five receptions for 59 yards and three touchdowns, leading the team in touchdown catches. That should be enough to show he's earned the right to step up and get more playing time, whether DeVonta Smith or Hollywood Brown comes back, because he earned it.
Darius Cooper is shining for the Eagles, but he needs more reps
Sunday was a perfect example of what Cooper can bring to the table for the Eagles when presented with the opportunity. His two touchdowns show the different ways he can succeed on the team.
His first touchdown was the Eagles' best of the year, as Jalen Hurts underthrew him despite being open in the end zone. Cooper made a great adjustment to the ball and almost had to play defense, as the Rams defender was going to pick it off. Cooper, though, jumped on top of the defender and snagged the ball out of the air for the score.
On Cooper's second touchdown, it was very similar to his first one in the game-winning Week 2 score against the Tennessee Titans, where he was wide open in the back of the end zone. He got open for Hurts to find him for the touchdown.
Every time the ball is in Cooper's hands, he works magic. All five of his receptions are positive, impactful plays that help the Eagles.
Even on special teams, Cooper has made a big impact, logging nine tackles. That is wild for a wide receiver to have nine tackles in the first four games of the season on special teams. No matter what it takes to help his team, he will make it happen.
The Eagles have a trend, though: when Cooper has a good game, they completely ignore him in the next contest. He almost gets eliminated from the offensive game plan, and that can't happen. Cooper is too good to let that happen.
Entering Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Eagles can't afford to do that with Cooper. Smith and Brown's statuses are unknown, but reports say Smith could miss multiple games, so he might not be in London with Philly.
That leaves the door wide open for Cooper to step up and be the guy again, but they need to let him be the focal point of the offense. Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon will get a lot of attention, but the defense will forget about Cooper.
Read more: Eagles have clear strategy to survive latest wave of injuries entering Week 5
If anyone can repeat their success from the previous game, it is Cooper. He has the "it" factor, but the Eagles have to give him a chance to prove it.
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