Cowboys Reportedly Sat Amari Cooper Late vs Eagles Because He Wasn't Playing Well in Puzzling Move
By Michael Luciano
Whatever shred of chance Jason Garrett had at holding on to his job went by the wayside when his Cowboys once again wilted against the Eagles, as Amari Cooper, Dak Prescott and Dallas lost in an embarrassing 17-9 game in Philadelphia.
Cooper was conspicuously absent from most of Dallas' drives in the fourth quarter, and the quasi-official explanation is that the Cowboys didn't believe Cooper was playing well.
the Cowboys limited Amari Cooper snaps in the 4th quarter against the eagles because he wasn't playing well, per sources. They legitimately didn't think having him in on 4th and 8 have them the best chance to win. if he is not hurt, this will be revisited in contract talks
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 23, 2019
Who can take Garrett seriously after this?
Cooper was struggling against the Eagles' porous secondary Sunday, hauling in just four catches on 12 targets for 24 yards. However, he was FAR from the only Cowboy that was struggling yesterday.
If this is true, it disputes what a Cowboys source already stated was the reason Cooper was benched, as he cited the idea that Garrett believed the Eagles have a more difficult time with smaller, quicker receivers like Tavon Austin.
A #Cowboys source disputes the notion WR Amari Cooper was benched. Instead they wanted to give Tavon Austin a shot at the DBs because Eagles having hard time w smaller quick guys. They got in hurry up mode so they had to wait to put Cooper back in. “Rotation change, not bench.”
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) December 23, 2019
Cooper might have been in the middle of the worst game he's played all season long, but that is no reason for Garrett to take his best vertical passing threat out of the game when they absolutely needed a score. That's the kind of move you would make if you wanted to get fired.