Eagles Undrafted Rookie Steals Spotlight in Preseason Opener Win, He caught 6 of 7 passes tonight for 82 yards

Philadelphia’s preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals was supposed to be about evaluating depth, shaking off rust, and giving the coaching staff a look at new faces. But one wide receiver turned it into his personal statement game.

From the opening drive, he played like a man with something to prove. Route after route, he found space in the defense. Each catch came with purpose—moving the chains, setting up scoring chances, and showing a level of poise uncommon for someone fighting from the very bottom of the roster.

By the end of the night, he had become the team’s most reliable target, making plays in traffic and winning on the outside. He wasn’t just catching passes—he was demanding the ball.

Darius Cooper, an undrafted rookie with no guarantees and everything to fight for. On Thursday night, he caught 6 of 7 targets for 82 yards, leading all Eagles receivers and leaving an impression that will be hard for the staff to ignore.

“Every snap is a chance to prove I belong here,” Cooper said after the game. “I’m not just here to run routes—I’m here to make plays that help this team win. That’s the standard in Philly, and I want to be part of it.”

For an undrafted player, moments like these are more than stats—they’re lifelines. And after one night under the lights, Darius Cooper just might have given himself a real shot at sticking around when the roster cuts come.