Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks lost his cool earlier in the week.
The former New Orleans Saints 2014 first-round pick was obviously upset that the Texans had traded running back Mark Ingram, who he was teammates with in New Orleans for his first three NFL seasons, back to the Saints.
Cooks addressed the matter after the Texans’ 38-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8 on Sunday at NRG Stadium and stated that he was simply frustrated.
“I mean, it’s tough,” said Cooks. “You talk about a guy I came into the league with, one of my best friends. A guy that’s a huge leader in the locker (room). So, I’d be sitting up here lying to say it didn’t hurt, and it was frustrating.”
What helped Cooks was having a conversation with coach David Culley, who may have indicated to the receiver that the Texans were doing it to help the roster down the road by acquiring draft picks.
“Talking with Coach about it, I understood what they were doing,” Cooks said. “But I’m human, and I love that dude. He helped me lead men in this locker room. It was frustrating, but at the same time, got to let it go and keep on pushing on.”
The Saints were able to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday at the Caesars Superdome, evening both teams’ records at 5-2.
“I’m happy for him,” Cooks said. “He got a chance to go break that record, that all-time rushing leader. So, yeah, I’ve just got to keep on pushing.”
Houston falls to 1-7 on the season. The Texans go on the road next week when they face the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.