What Bills QB Josh Allen said about building a bond with Amari Cooper during injury

The Buffalo Bills acquired five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns in mid-October with the intention of making him a pillar of their aerial attack, but during his first three weeks in Orchard Park, his individual production may or may not have been which some fans expected.

This isn’t necessarily unexpected or anyone’s fault, as the 10-year veteran is in the midst of adapting to a new offensive scheme. He played on just 35% of the team’s offensive snaps in his Week 7 debut before playing at 50% in Week 8, hauling in five passes for 69 yards and one touchdown over the entire two-game stretch. His on-field acclimation was hampered by a wrist injury he suffered in Week 8, which limited him in the following week’s practices. on the sidelines for Buffalo’s Week 9 win over the Miami Dolphins.

While the development of his bond with his new pass-catcher hasn’t been as seamless as it would have been if Cooper hadn’t suffered an injury, Bills quarterback Josh Allen feels like he’s still developing good chemistry with the veteran despite the bump. He told reporters on Wednesday that Cooper is still learning and remains involved in the offense as he recovers from his ailment.

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“Since the first day he walked into the building, he was ready to go,” Allen said. “He’s just continued to learn the playbook and his role in this offense. Whether we get him back this week or next week, or whenever that case comes up, I know he’ll be ready to go. It will be kind of plug and play and feel pretty seamless there.”

Cooper was again listed as a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, although Buffalo only held a walkthrough. His status for the Bills’ Week 10 clash with the Indianapolis Colts remains unclear. just like that of rookie wide receiver Keon Colemanwho himself suffered a wrist injury in the closing moments of Week 9. Allen is confident in the ability of Buffalo’s offense no matter which receivers are available to him this Sunday.

“Injuries are going to happen over the course of the season, that’s the name of the game,” Allen said. “It’s not if you get hurt, it’s when you get hurt, right? Just the question of whether we have new guys or whether we need to get them moving a bit today, that was good to see. The jury is still out, and once again, we rock with who we have. We do a good job in our offensive unit meetings of getting the guys ready to go, so whatever the situation is, we’ll be prepared.”

A loss for both Cooper and Coleman would be a major blow to the Bills, but considering the veteran receiver made a decision during last Sunday’s game and is practicing again this week, it appears he’s on his way to a return. Allen is confident he and Cooper will pick up where they left off a few weeks ago once the seven-time 1,000-yard wideout is able to suit up again.

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