The Los Angeles Rams shook up their roster with the surprise release of All-Pro kick returner Pharoh Cooper on Tuesday, December 18. The move made room on the roster for incoming running back C.J. Anderson.
Los Angeles selected Cooper in the fourth round (117th pick) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He caught only 25 passes for 190 yards during his career with the Rams. Quarterback Jared Goff targeted Cooper only once this season.
However, it was the return game where Cooper excelled. He returned 34 kickoffs for 932 yards and a touchdown for a 27.4 yards per return average. Cooper’s performance landed a trip to the Pro Bowl and a spot on the All-Pro team.
His Rams’ career took a downward turn during the team’s wildcard loss to the Atlanta Falcons in January 2018. Cooper fumbled twice, which the Falcons capitalized on in their 26-13 victory over the Rams.
Cooper suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 that left him on injured reserve for much of the season. Unfortunately, he proved unable to earn back his role as both punt and kick returner when he returned.
Anderson, 27, earned a trip to the Pro Bowl with the Denver Broncos following the 2014 season. He rushed for 849 yards and eight touchdowns in only seven starts during that campaign.
Anderson failed to live up to break out season until 2016. The struggling Broncos offense relied on him, and he responded with his first 1,000-yard season (1,007 yards) and three touchdowns.
Anderson later signed with the Carolina Panthers during the offseason, but they released him in November. It appears that Anderson will serve as an insurance policy for the banged up Todd Gurley and the injured Malcolm Brown.
