Brandin Cooks is bound for Pittsburgh to see a specialist after suffering his second concussion this month and fourth since February.
The Rams receiver was placed in the concussion protocol after the team's Week 5 loss to the Seahawks but was cleared to return in Week 6 against the 49ers. However, he went back into the concussion protocol following last Sunday's win over the Bengals after a helmet-to-helmet collision in the first quarter.
“He’s feeling good,” Rams coach Sean McVay told reporters (via the team's website). “He’s very aware of what’s going on and he can talk about what occurred pre-concussion. He’s aware . . . . We are going to send him to a specialist. He’s actually on his way there in Pittsburgh. I’m trying to see if we can get a little bit more clarity, because most important is Brandin Cooks as a human being right now, not necessarily the football player. Let’s get a better idea of what’s exactly is going on, so that we can at least make the best decision for him moving forward. Hopefully, being able to do that will give us some answers we’ll find more information about that.”
When asked if the latest setback could affect the remainder of Cooks' season, McVay stressed the importance of getting the veteran healthy, especially after he previously suffered concussions in the 2018 Super Bowl as a member of the Patriots and in 2015 with the Saints. He also was placed in the concussion protocol last season.
“I think we are just taking it a day at a time,” McVay said. “At least try to get some information to Brandin and then, we can make a decision that is best for him. Anytime that you have something like this occur, you want to consider the human being first and foremost, and that’s what we are going to do, take our time. No question, it will be something that we are going to be smart with. I think being able to get some answers, hear some other opinions on what’s going on, and other cases that have been like this will give us some clarity to hopefully, make the best decision for Brandin Cooks the person and the football player.”
Cooks, 26, has 27 catches for 402 yards and a touchdown this season after signing a five-year contract extension worth $81 million extension in 2018.
The Rams (5-3) will rest on their bye before visiting the Steelers (3-4) in Week 10 action.