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After the Houston Texans traded three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals on March 16, they traded with the Los Angeles Rams on April 10 for receiver Brandin Cooks.
Even though both have different skill sets, the immediate comparison is that the Texans acquired Cooks to replace Hopkins. However, the 5-10, 183-pound wideout doesn’t view himself as a replacement for Hopkins.
“First and foremost, I think just being brought in in general as far as specifics of being brought in for a guy like DeAndre Hopkins or anything like that, I wouldn’t necessarily say that,” Cooks told reporters on a video conference April 30. “You’re talking about a great player that’s played a lot of great football in his years as a Texan. I’m just looking at it from the standpoint to just come in and help the team win as best as I can, so that’s the way that I look at it.”
Hopkins has only missed two games in his entire career, both season finales where coach Bill O’Brien felt it did not behoove the receiver to play in the meaningless contests. Meanwhile Cooks missed two games last season because of concussions. While the former 2014 first-rounder for the New Orleans Saints may have passed protocol, questions about the concussions still linger in the minds of media and fans alike.
“As far as the concussions, I’m doing great and I look forward to playing football,” said Cooks. “That’s all I can say about that.”
According to O’Brien, the Texans had a colleague of team physician, Dr. Walter Lowe, examine Cooks in Los Angeles, since the Texans weren’t able to fly in the receiver for a physical due to the complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Texans were satisfied enough with the examination to trade with the Rams.
Cooks produced 122 catches for 1,787 yards and seven touchdowns in his 30 games for Los Angeles, all of which he started.
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