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Pharoh Cooper

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Pharoh Cooper
refer to caption
Cooper with the Carolina Panthers in 2020
No. 10, 12, 16, 14, 83, 15
Position:Wide receiver
Return specialist
Personal information
Born: (1995-03-07) March 7, 1995 (age 29)
Havelock, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:Havelock
College:South Carolina (2013–2015)
NFL draft:2016 / round: 4 / pick: 117
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:61
Receiving yards:545
Return yards:3,954
Total touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Pharoh Cooper (born March 7, 1995) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants.

Early life

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Cooper's father, grandfather, and brother all served in the Marine Corps. Cooper attended Havelock High School in Havelock, North Carolina. He played quarterback, wide receiver, running back, and defensive back.[1] He was rated by Rivals.com as a four-star recruit.[2] He committed to the University of South Carolina to play college football.

College career

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Cooper attended and played college football for the University of South Carolina. He was originally a defensive back before moving to wide receiver prior to the start of his freshman season.[3] He played in 11 of 13 games his freshman season. He had three receptions for 54 receiving yards, 202 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown and also completed two of three pass attempts for 29 yards and a touchdown.[4][5] Against Tennessee during his sophomore year in 2014, Cooper set the school single-game receiving yards record with 233.[6] In the 2014 Independence Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes, he had nine receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown and was named the game's MVP.[7][8] For the season, Cooper appeared in all 13 games and was named first team All-SEC after recording 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns.[9] He also ran for 200 yards with two rushing touchdowns and passed for 78 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior in 2015, Cooper had 873 receiving yards along with 111 rushing yards with 9 total touchdowns. He also had 55 return yards on 12 punt return opportunities. After his junior year, he announced his intentions to enter the 2016 NFL draft.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+1⁄8 in
(1.81 m) 		203 lb
(92 kg) 		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 31 in
(0.79 m)		 9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)		 15 reps
All values from NFL Combine[10]

Los Angeles Rams

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Cooper was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round with the 117th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.[11] On June 9, 2016, Cooper signed a four-year contract with the team. He played in 10 games with three starts in his rookie season, recording 14 receptions for 106 yards while fulfilling kick return and occasional punt return duties.

Following a 16–10 loss to Seattle in Week 5 of 2017, Cooper replaced a struggling Tavon Austin as the Rams' primary return man. In Week 6 of the 2017 season, Cooper scored the first NFL touchdown of his career with a 103-yard kick return touchdown to start the game in a 27–17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.[12] On December 19, 2017, Cooper was selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl as a return specialist.[13]

On September 12, 2018, Cooper was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury in Week 1.[14] He was activated off injured reserve on November 19, 2018.[15] On December 18, 2018, Cooper was released by the Rams.[16]

Arizona Cardinals (first stint)

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On December 19, 2018, Cooper was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals.[17] Appearing in two games, he returned six punts for 67 yards.

On August 30, 2019, Cooper was released by the Cardinals.[18]

Cincinnati Bengals

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On September 1, 2019, Cooper was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.[19] He saw limited action in the Bengals' season-opening 21–20 loss at the Seattle Seahawks, but recorded no receptions or yards. After being inactive for Week 2's game against the San Francisco 49ers, Cooper was waived on September 17, 2019.[20]

Arizona Cardinals (second stint)

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On October 1, 2019, Cooper was re-signed by the Cardinals.[21]

Carolina Panthers

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On March 20, 2020, Cooper signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.[22]

Jacksonville Jaguars

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On June 3, 2021, Cooper signed a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[23] He was released on August 31, 2021.[24]

New York Giants

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On November 3, 2021, Cooper was signed to the practice squad of the New York Giants.[25] For Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders Cooper was elevated from the practice squad.[26] Cooper was activated from the practice squad as a COVID-19 replacement for the games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles.[27][28] On December 4, 2021, Cooper was elevated from the practice squad for the game against the Miami Dolphins.[29] On December 11, 2021, Cooper was activated from the practice squad as a COVID-19 replacement for the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.[30] His contract expired when the team's season ended on January 9, 2022.

Arizona Cardinals (third stint)

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On November 23, 2022, the Cardinals signed Cooper to their practice squad.[31] He was promoted to the active roster on December 28.[32]

On June 10, 2024, Cooper announced his retirement from professional football.[33][34]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team Games Receiving Kickoff return Punt return Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2016 LAR 10 3 14 106 7.6 23 0 14 323 23.1 51 0 5 5 1.0 6 0 0 0
2017 LAR 16 1 11 84 7.6 26 0 34 932 27.4 103 1 32 399 12.5 53 0 3 2
2018 LAR 5 0 — — — — — 13 277 21.3 28 0 2 12 6.0 12 0 0 0
ARI 2 0 — — — — — — — — — — 6 67 11.2 45 0 1 0
2019 CIN 1 0 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 0 0
ARI 13 1 25 243 9.7 28 1 25 561 22.4 39 0 17 129 7.6 29 0 0 0
2020 CAR 16 1 5 73 14.6 32 0 18 430 23.9 38 0 20 117 5.9 20 0 1 0
2021 NYG 8 0 4 33 8.3 15 0 12 207 17.3 26 0 11 90 8.2 17 0 0 0
2022 ARI 5 1 2 6 3.0 3 0 12 288 24.0 33 0 9 117 13.0 28 0 0 0
Total 75 7 61 545 8.9 32 1 128 3,018 23.6 103 1 102 936 9.2 53 0 5 2

Postseason

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Year Team Games Receiving Kickoff return Punt return Fumbles
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Ret Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2017 LAR 1 0 — — — — — 6 120 20.0 26 0 4 7 1.8 9 0 1 1
Total 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 6 120 20.0 26 0 4 7 1.8 9 0 1 1

References

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  1. ^ Ken Buday, Havelock News. "Cooper helps Rams get back to state title game". Havelock News.
  2. ^ "Pharoh Cooper".
  3. ^ "USC's Cooper enjoying switch from defense to offense". GoUpstate.com.
  4. ^ Jordan Honeycutt, Sports Writer. "Football: Cooper a crucial part of Gamecocks' offense". New Bern Sun Journal.
  5. ^ "USC's Pharoh Cooper steps up on offense". GoUpstate.com.
  6. ^ "South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper has record night in defeat". NFL.com.
  7. ^ "USC's Pharoh Cooper caps impressive season with MVP performance". The Greenville News. December 28, 2014.
  8. ^ "Cooper makes statement to cap dream season". shreveporttimes.com. December 27, 2014.
  9. ^ "Cooper named first-team All-SEC". Archived from the original on February 11, 2015.
  10. ^ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Pharoh Cooper". National Football League.
  11. ^ "2016 NFL Draft: Los Angeles Rams Select South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper". TurfShowTimes.com. April 30, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  12. ^ "Adrian Peterson among the NFL Players of the Week". NFL.com. October 18, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  13. ^ "NFL announces 2018 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com. December 19, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  14. ^ Simmons, Myles (September 12, 2018). "Rams Sign JoJo Natson, Move Pharoh Cooper to I.R." TheRams.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  15. ^ Dennis, Clarence (November 19, 2018). "Rams Activate WR Pharoh Cooper, Move Kupp to Injured Reserve". TheRams.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  16. ^ Simmons, Myles (December 18, 2018). "Rams Waive WR Pharoh Cooper". TheRams.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  17. ^ Urban, Darren (December 19, 2018). "Cardinals Claim Wide Receiver Pharoh Cooper". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  18. ^ Nash, Anthony (August 30, 2019). "Pharoh Cooper released by the Arizona Cardinals". Clutch Points. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  19. ^ Roling, Chris (September 1, 2019). "Report: Bengals claim WR Pharoh Cooper, RB Samaje Perine on waivers". Bengals Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  20. ^ "Bengals Make Player Moves". Bengals.com. September 17, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  21. ^ Urban, Darren (October 1, 2019). "Cardinals Add Familiar Face At Receiver, Sign Pharoh Cooper". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  22. ^ Bryan, Will (March 20, 2020). "Panthers sign wide receiver Pharoh Cooper". Panthers.com. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  23. ^ "Official: Jaguars sign WR Pharoh Cooper". Jaguars.com. June 3, 2021.
  24. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Reduce Roster to 53". Jaguars.com. August 31, 2021. Archived from the original on September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  25. ^ Eisen, Michael (November 3, 2021). "Giants begin Raiders prep with 3 players in COVID protocol". Giants.com.
  26. ^ Elsen, Michael (November 6, 2021). "LB Trent Harris, WR Pharoh Cooper elevated from practice squad; LB Elerson Smith activated". Giants.com.
  27. ^ Eisen, Michael (November 22, 2021). "OT Andrew Thomas activated ahead of MNF". Giants.com.
  28. ^ Benton, Dan (November 28, 2021). "Giants activate Pharoh Cooper, Steven Parker from practice squad". Giantswire.com.
  29. ^ Benton, Dan (December 4, 2021). "Giants Add DB Steven Parker to 53-man Roster". Giantswire.com.
  30. ^ Benton, Dan (December 12, 2021). "Giants elevate Pharoh Cooper, Jarren Williams from practice squad". Giantswire.com.
  31. ^ Urban, Darren (November 23, 2022). "Cardinals Bring Back Pharoh Cooper To Practice Squad". azcardinals.com.
  32. ^ "Cardinals sign Cooper to 53-man roster, add long snapper Bradley". December 28, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  33. ^ @@KingTutt_chdown (June 10, 2024). "Farewell football, I'm officially retiring from the NFL. I'm forever grateful and give all the glory to God that I was able to live out my childhood dream. I appreciate all the love and support I've received from my family, friends, and fans through out my career. Much love" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Smith, Michael David (June 11, 2024). "Veteran receiver and returner Pharoh Cooper announces his retirement". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
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