Mizzou WR Mookie Cooper discusses effects of injury during season opener vs. Central Michigan
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Missouri took down Central Michigan 31-21 in its season opener, and it was the debut of wide receiver Mookie Cooper. The St. Louis product, who played for Ohio State last year before transferring closer to home in the 2021 offseason, made 4 catches for 12 yards that game.
Cooper was on the field for the Tigers despite battling a foot injury he had suffered in practice leading up to the game against the Chippewas, officially declared questionable by Eli Drinkwitz during his game week press conference that Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Cooper discussed the injury and its effects on his game and various routes he was asked to run, while adding that during practice he tried to cut more with his foot continuing to heal.
In his first interview at Mizzou, WR Mookie Cooper says he wasn't comfortable running downfield routes last week because of his foot injury. All his touches in opener came on screens/handoffs. He practiced making more cuts this week.
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) September 8, 2021
Cooper was a former 4-star recruit and the No. 15 wide receiver in the country when he signed with Ohio State for the class of 2020. Now that he’s much closer to home, he’ll look to become a familiar target for Connor Bazelak and the Tigers.
Missouri visits Kentucky on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be shown on the SEC Network.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
