HOUSTON — The Houston Texans has 22 players on the COVID-19 reserve, including wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
His status for Sunday’s Week 16 match against the Los Angeles Chargers is questionable. And should the Texans be without their leading receiver, Houston will miss Cook’s leadership more than the on-field production the 28-year-old wideout has provided the ball club amidst a 3-11 season.
“He’s so important in understanding, this guy has been with three other teams that have been very successful — he knows how it’s supposed to go,” coach David Culley said. “When things weren’t right in the locker room, he’s someone I could always lean on to know that he’s part of my leadership council, where ‘What do we need to do to make sure things are going right?’ He’s been right on with everything that I feel like he knows that I want to get done here.”
Culley continued, “We’re on the same page with that. He’s a guy that our players trust, and not only just because of the kind of player he is, but the kind of person he is.”
Culley said Cooks has always been a leader in the locker room, but his role expanded following Mark Ingram’s return to the New Orleans Saints in October.
Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett depicted Cooks’ leadership as a man of actions. Dorsett has developed an admiration for the way Cooks work before and after practice, and he believes the tips and examples bestowed by the veteran have helped him throughout his career.
Cooks and Dorsett played one season together as members of the New England Patriots during the 2017 season. After the Seattle Seahawks released Dorsett in November, the chance to reunite with Cooks led to his decision to join the Texans as a free agent.
“He’s been a great leader for us,” Dorsett said. “I’ve only been here two or three weeks, but I already know his leadership qualities and you can tell it’s fueling the room. He’s a guy that leads by example and we all know what he brings to the table on and off the field. He’s a great guy and a great player.”
Through 14 games played, Cooks is Houston’s top receiver while leading the team with 945 yards on 80 catches and five touchdowns. As one of 21 vaccinated players who tested positive, Cooks must produce two negative tests 24 hours apart before being cleared to play against the Chargers on Sunday.
If Cooks remains inactive, there will be a significant void for the Texans to fill in all aspects of the game. Rookie quarterback Davis Mills will have to find a new target at NRG Stadium for the time being, as Cooks accounts for 30 percent of his 302 pass attempts.
“I think just his experience of having to deal with that for years, his savvy with different releases and knowing pre-snap the looks that the defense is telling us,” Mills said. “He understands coverages and where he’s going to find the openings in those. Just the experience he has and his quickness and speed.”
“Sometimes speed kills everything, so even if he’s not initially the most effective or efficient off the line, he can still win with his speed.”