Tag: Pharoh Cooper

Former Panthers WR Pharoh Cooper retires from NFL

Pharoh Cooper, the Panthers’ leading kick and punt returner from the 2020 season, announced his retirement from the NFL.

Pharoh Cooper has wrapped it up.

The 29-year-old announced his retirement from the game in a Twitter/X post on Monday afternoon. Cooper, a Havelock, N.C. native, played one of his seven pro seasons as a member of the Carolina Panthers.

That lone campaign came in 2020, when Cooper served as the team’s primary kick and punt returner under first-year head coach Matt Rhule. He returned 18 kicks for 430 yards (23.9 yards per attempt) and 20 punts for 117 yards (5.9 yards per attempt).

Prior to his homecoming, the University of South Carolina Gamecock cracked into the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams from the 2016 NFL draft. His second year in Los Angeles, one in which he averaged a league-high 27.9 yards per kickoff return, resulted in a first-team All-Pro nod and a Pro Bowl selection—the first and only such distinctions of his career.

Cooper also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants.

[lawrence-related id=698385,698341,698372]

Former Rams All-Pro KR Pharoh Cooper retires from NFL

Pharoh Cooper, a 2017 All-Pro for the Rams, has announced his retirement from the NFL

Former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver and return specialist Pharoh Cooper has announced his retirement from the NFL after seven seasons. Cooper’s best season came in 2017 when he was the league’s premier kick returner, earning first-team All-Pro honors after returning one kickoff for a touchdown and finishing second with 932 kick return yards.

His average of 27.4 yards per return that year was the best in the NFL, 1.8 yards higher than any other player averaged.

Cooper came into the NFL as a fourth-round pick by the Rams in 2016 and played 31 games in Los Angeles before being waived in December of 2018. He latched on with the Cardinals and spent the next four-plus years with Arizona, Cincinnati, Carolina and the Giants.

Cooper finishes his career with 128 kick returns for 3,018 yards and one touchdown, while also returning 102 punts for 936. His longest punt return was 53 yards, with a long kickoff return of 103 yards.

As a receiver, Cooper caught 61 passes for 545 yards and one touchdown in his seven-year career. He last played an NFL game in 2022 with the Cardinals.

Cardinals sign WR Phraoh Cooper, S JuJu Hughes to practice squad

With Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch injured, the Cardinals bring back a familiar face.

The Arizona Cardinals could be missing receivers Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch this week. Moore injured his groin in Monday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers and Dortch injured his thumb.

To give themselves another slot receiver and returner, they signed receiver Pharoh Cooper to the practice squad. Cooper had been with the Cardinals for part of 2018 and 2019.

While with the Cardinals, Cooper had 25 receptions for 243 yards and one touchdown to go along with 25 kick returns for 561 yards and 23 punt returns for 196 yards.

He has played for the Giants (2021), Panthers (2020), Bengals (2019), Cardinals (2018-19) and Rams (2016-18).

He was an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2017 with the Rams as a return specialist. He entered the league with the Rams as a fourth-round selection in the 2016 draft out of South Carolina.

They also signed safety JuJu Hughes to the practice squad. He played in seven games (one start) with Detroit this season and had 18 tackles for two tackles for loss prior to being released on Saturday. He has played in 26 career games (one start) with the Rams (2020-21) and Lions (2022) after entering the league in 2020 with Los Angeles as an undrafted rookie free agent from Fresno State. In his career, Hughes has 26 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and one quarterback hit.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and

Giants release Sam Beal, Darqueze Dennard from practice squad

The New York Giants have released DBs Sam Beal and Darqueze Dennard from their practice squad, and protected four others.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

For the second time this season, the New York Giants have released cornerback Sam Beal.

Beal, who had been re-signed to the practice squad as the result of the team’s COVID-19 issues, was released on Tuesday alongside fellow defensive back Darqueze Dennard.

Like Beal, Dennard was signed to help bolster the team’s depth amid a COVID-19 outbreak. He was elevated for a Week 16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and drew the brief ire of his teammates for failing to down a punt at the goal line.

Head coach Joe Judge later appeared to absolve Dennard of fault, saying he went out of bounds and therefor couldn’t be the first to touch the ball.

“In Darqueze’s defense a little bit, it’s been a handful of years since he’s played gunner. He’s done a good job. Did a good job for us (Sunday),” Judge told reporters. “He got a little fogged up on the rules — you cannot be the first toucher if you go out of bounds. The second he ran out of bounds in that situation, I was actually walking down the sideline yelling in his ear ‘Don’t touch it, don’t touch it, don’t touch it,’ because that’s an illegal touch penalty and inside the five it becomes a touchback anyway right there.”

With some available space on the practice squad, the Giants re-signed tight end Jake Hausmann.

Finally, the team also announced their practice squad protections for Week 17. They include wide receiver/return man Pharoh Cooper, defensive back Natrell Jamerson, defensive tackle David Moa and tight end Deon Yelder.

[listicle id=681664]

Giants officially eliminated from playoffs with 34-10 loss to Eagles

What limited playoff hope remained entering Week 16 was quickly forgotten as the Eagles completely dismantled the New York Giants on Sunday.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The New York Giants entered Week 16 with personnel issues due to injury, illness and inconsistency. As a result, they decided to give quarterback Jake Fromm his first career start.

That lasted a little more than two quarters.

Fromm completed just six of his 17 passes for 25 yards and one interception before being benched in favor of Mike Glennon.

It was an unforgettable first start for Fromm, but that was par for the course on Sunday. The Giants and Eagles combined to play one of the most sloppy, ugly football games in recent memory.

Philly, however, got things together in the second half and were ultimately able to cruise to a 34-10 victory, officially ending the Giants’ remaining playoff hopes.

With the loss, the Giants fall to 4-11 on the season.

Giants sign Dwayne Johnson, Darqueze Dennard to practice squad

The New York Giants have signed DBs Dwayne Johnson and Darqueze Dennard to their practice squad, if you smell what The Rock is cooking.

Finally, Dwayne Johnson has arrived in East Rutherford!

The catch is that it’s Dwayne Johnson Jr., a defensive back from San Diego State and not Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who the New York Giants signed to their practice squad.

In addition to Dwayne “Not The Rock” Johnson, the Giants also signed veteran defensive back Darqueze Dennard to the practice squad.

The 30-year-old Dennard was a first-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2014 NFL draft. He spent his first six seasons with Cincy before making stops with the Atlanta Falcons (2020), Arizona Cardinals (2021) and Indianapolis Colts (2021).

In 85 career games (30 starts), Dennard has recorded 310 tackles (228 solo, seven for a loss), three forced fumbles, five QB hits, 3.0 sacks, 27 passes defensed, four interceptions and one touchdown.

Finally, the Giants also activated wide receiver/return man Pharoh Cooper as a COVID-19 replacements.

[listicle id=681664]

Giants protect Evan Boehm, three other practice squad players

The New York Giants have protected four practice squad players and terminated the contract of TE Jake Hausmann.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The New York Giants have announced their practice squad protections ahead of a Week 16 game with the Philadelphia Eagles and center Evan Boehm was among the four.

Signed by the Giants last week, the 28-year-old Boehm was originally a fourth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2016 NFL draft. He became a journeyman after that, spending time with the Los Angeles Rams (2018), Indianapolis Colts (2018), Miami Dolphins (2019, 2021), Buffalo Bills (2020), Jacksonville Jaguars (2020) and Detroit Lions (2021).

Boehm has appeared in 55 career games with 21 starts. He’s taken snaps at both left and right guard in addition to center.

This is Boehm’s first time being protected by the team.

In addition to Boehm, the Giants also protected wide receiver/return man Pharoh Cooper, wide receiver Alex Bachman and defensive lineman David Moa.

Moa has been a regular protection all year and even saw action in Week 15 as a COVID-19 replacement. Cooper, meanwhile, is the team’s starting return man and is a guaranteed elevation come Sunday.

Lastly, the Giants announced that they have terminated the practice squad contract of tight end Jake Hausmann.

[listicle id=681664]

Giants sign Evan Boehm to practice squad, elevate Pharoh Cooper

The New York Giants made a series of roster moves on Thursday, including the addition of center Evan Boehm to their practice squad.

[mm-video type=video id=01fq4cdc6w1mczzdfpqq playlist_id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fq4cdc6w1mczzdfpqq/01fq4cdc6w1mczzdfpqq-be4ffa6fa9c9e004457bf49529b300a2.jpg]

The New York Giants made several transactions on Thursday facilitated by an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Among their moves was the addition to center Evan Boehm to the practice squad.

The 28-year-old Boehm was originally a fourth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2016 NFL draft. He became a journeyman after that, spending time with the Los Angeles Rams (2018), Indianapolis Colts (2018), Miami Dolphins (2019, 2021), Buffalo Bills (2020), Jacksonville Jaguars (2020) and Detroit Lions (2021).

Boehm has appeared in 55 career games with 21 starts. He’s taken snaps at both left and right guard in addition to center.

The Giants also did some Reserve/COVID-19 list shuffling. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, who is out on Sunday, was added to the list. Offensive lineman Wes Martin was removed.

Finally, the Giants also elevated wide receiver/return man Pharoh Cooper as a COVID-19 replacement. He was a likely elevation anyway, so this permits the Giants to make additional roster moves ahead of a Week 15 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Giants sign Woodrow Hamilton to practice squad, protect four

The New York Giants have made a few practice squad transactions and protected four ahead of a Week 15 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The New York Giants announced on Tuesday that they have re-signed defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton to their practice squad. He had previously been released back in late October.

The 28-year-old Hamilton, who signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss in 2016, is now in his third stint with the Giants. After starting his career with the Pats, he landed with the New Orleans Saints (2017-2018) before having a brief cup of coffee with New York in 2018.

The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Hamilton also had stints with the Carolina Panthers (2019-2020) and Tennessee Titans (2021).

Hamilton won a title alongside current Giants head coach Joe Judge in 2017, each of whom were with the Patriots at the time.

Over his six-year NFL career, Hamilton has appeared in nine games (one start) and recorded six tackles (three solo) and one fumble recovery.

In order to clear space for Hamilton on the practice squad, the Giants terminated the contract of quarterback Clayton Thorson. He had been signed last week as emergency depth.

Finally, the Giants protected four practice squad players: wide receiver/return man Pharoh Cooper, defensive lineman David Moa and defensive backs Jarren Williams and Natrell Jamerson.

[lawrence-related id=682626,682636,682670]

Giants place Kadarius Toney on Reserve/COVID-19 list

The New York Giants have placed rookie WR Kadarius Toney on the Reserve/COVID-19 list for the second time this season.

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Kadarius Toney has not played since November 22 and now there’s a chance he won’t play in Week 15, either.

The Giants have placed Toney on the Reserve/COVID-19 list for the second time this season. That means he will miss a minimum of 10 days if he’s unvaccinated. If he has been vaccinated, he will have to produce two negative tests at least 24 hours apart before he’s eligible to return.

Sports Illustrated reports that Toney’s test result came back while on the team plane. He was immediately isolated from his teammates and coaches while en route back to New Jersey from Los Angeles.

According to a source, the receiver, who returned with the rest of the team from Los Angeles on Monday, tested positive for the virus, the results of his test not being known until the team was en route back east.

Toney was immediately isolated from the rest of the team on the plane, the Giants taking the necessary precautions with the rest of their traveling party.

Toney, who is also nursing an oblique injury, has missed four games this season.

Meanwhile, offensive tackle Kyle Murphy was removed from the Reserve/COVID-19 list. However, he remains on injured reserve with an ankle issue.

Finally, return man Pharoh Cooper and cornerback Jarren Williams were each returned to the practice squad as a matter of procedure.

[vertical-gallery id=682406]