Pharoh Cooper went from a Super Bowl contender to a three-win team this week, which at first left him disgruntled.
The Rams released the All-Pro return specialist on Tuesday to make room for running back C.J. Anderson, and the Cardinals claimed him off waivers. But what Cooper lost in team success he may have gained in opportunity.
Cooper saw sparse playing time at wide receiver during his three seasons with the Rams. The Cardinals have serious question marks at the position, and while Cooper may not make an impact in 2018, he's under contract for 2019 and could get a look in the offseason.
"That's kind of why I was excited," Cooper said. "When I first got the news, I was mad. I was upset, like, 'Why is this happening?' But at the end of the day I got the call and I was excited to go somewhere else and showcase my skills. That's a positive. It could be a blessing in disguise. This could be a fresh start in my career."
An ankle injury has hampered Cooper this year but he was electric in the return game in 2017, averaging 27.4 yards per kickoff return and 12.5 per punt return to earn All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. The Cardinals lost punt returner Christian Kirk to a broken foot in Week 13 and have been using cornerback Patrick Peterson in the role the past two games.
It's unknown if Cooper will play on Sunday against his former team, but was practicing returns on Thursday, he said. While the return game is the place where Cooper has made his NFL mark, he doesn't want to be pigeonholed as a one-trick pony.
"I would go in there occasionally and do some jet sweeps, run some choice routes, but (the Rams) never really tried to get me involved in the offensive game plan," Cooper said. "A lot of people when they see me, they label me as a returner. Like, 'OK, Pharoh Cooper, he's just a returner. He has no film.' I'm here to prove myself that I can play receiver. I know I can."
Cooper, who was reportedly claimed by four teams and awarded to the Cardinals based on priority, believes his elusiveness on special teams can translate to offense.
"I feel like I'm one of the best with the ball in my hands in this league," Cooper said. "Eventually, I'm going to get to showcase those skills."
GOLDEN DOESN't PRACTICE
Defensive end Markus Golden (ankle) did not practice for a second straight day. Tight end Ricky Seals-Jones missed another practice with food poisoning, while wide receiver J.J. Nelson (not injury-related) also sat out.
Defensive tackle Rodney Gunter (foot) and safety Budda Baker (knee) were back on the field in a limited capacity. Cornerback David Amerson (concussion), wide receiver Trent Sherfield (ankle) and wide receiver Chad Williams (hamstring) were also limited.
For the Rams, running back Todd Gurley (knee) and running back Justin Davis (shoulder) did not practice.
PRACTICE SQUAD MOVE
The Cardinals re-signed offensive lineman Justin Evans to the practice squad. Wide receiver Daniel Braverman was released from the practice squad to make room. Evans is an undrafted rookie from South Carolina State.
Images of past matchups between the Cardinals and this week's opponent, the Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Charley Johnson (12) prepares to take the snap from center during an NFL pre-season game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, Aug. 27, 1966. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-14.
St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Charley Johnson (12) listens to head coach Charley Winner on the sidelines during an NFL pre-season game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, Aug. 27, 1966. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 32-14.
Los Angeles Rams Lamar Lundy (85) looms over and starts to come down on scrambling St. Louis Cardinal Quarterback Jim Hart in the first period, Sept. 17, 1968, St. Louis, Mo. Lundy and other Rams spent a good part of the night in the company of Jim Hart as the Rams won 24-13. The rest of the players are unidentified.
St. Louis Football Cardinal Willis Crenshaw (33) drives in for extra yardage as the Los Angeles Rams hang on, Sept. 16, 1968, St. Louis, Mo. Crenshaw made 11 yards and first down on the first quarter play, before being tripped up by Ed Meador (21).
Running back Willie Ellis of the Rams breaks past a St. Louis Cardinals tackler as he rambled 18 yards in the teams NFL opener at Los Angeles, on Sept. 19, 1970. Linebacker Larry Stallings is in right foreground. Los Angeles won, 34-13.
A St. Louis Cardinals defender tackles Los Angeles back Lawrence McCutcheon (30) after a 15 yard gain during action in game on Saturday, Dec. 27, 1975 in Los Angeles. McCutcheon gained 202 yards on 37 carries as the Rams won 35-23. In the background is Charlie Davis of the Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart (17) eludes Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Fred Dryer (89) during a 1975 NFC Divisional Playoff Game in Los Angeles, Dec. 27, 1975. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 35-23.
St. Louis Cardinals running back Terry Metcalf (21) returns a kick during the 1975 NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, Dec. 27, 1975. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 35-23.
St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart (17) confers with head coach Don Coryell and offensive line coach Jim Hanifan during a 1975 NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, Dec. 27, 1975. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 35-23.
St. Louis Cardinals head coach Don Coryell confers with running back Jim Otis (35) during a 1975 NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, Dec. 27, 1975. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 35-23.
St. Louis Cardinals running back Terry Metcalf (21) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, 1976. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 30-28.
St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart (17) sets up to pass during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, Sept. 30, 1979. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 21-0.
St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Neil Lomax (15) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams in Anaheim, Calif., on Dec. 15, 1981. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 46-14.
Willie Anderson, left, of the Los Angeles Rams, leaps high in front of Phoenix Cardinals defender Carl Carter, and runs into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown with 20 seconds remaining in the game at Anaheim Stadium, Aug. 22, 1989.
Phoenix Cardinals running back Tony Jordan, left, goes up and over a host of Los Angeles Rams defenders including tackle Kevin Greene, right, for a short gain during the first quarter of the NFL exhibition game at Anaheim Stadium, Aug. 21, 1989.
Arizona Cardinals Hall of Fame cornerback Aeneas Williams (35) defends a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Flipper Anderson (83) during an NFL game in Anaheim, Sept. 4, 1994. The Rams defeated the Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals defender Eric Hill, right, stops Los Angeles Rams running back Jerome Bettis after a three yard gain in the second quarter of their game in Anaheim, Calif., Sept. 4, 1994. Assisting on the play is Cardinals Chris Oldham, left. The Rams won 14-12.
Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith reaches into the end zone for the Cardinal's first touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in St. Louis, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004. The Rams prevailed over the former hometown Cardinals 17-10.
Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) pulls down a touchdown pass as St. Louis Rams' Travis Fisher defends during the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith, right, slips past the reach of St. Louis Rams' Ryan Pickett, left, in the first quarter Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals' Josh McCown (12) scores a touchdown on a quarterback keeper during the first quarter against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004, in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals Adrian Wilson (24) sacks St. Louis Rams' Marc Bulger in the second half Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005 in St. Louis. Bulger left the game with a bruised right shoulder.
St. Louis Rams defensive end Leonard Little celebrates after sacking the Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown (12) for a lost in the fourth quarter of their NFL game in St. Louis. The St. Louis Rams defeated the Arizona Cardinals by the final score of, 17-10.
Arizona Cardinals Bert Berry (92) watches as St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) gains yardage during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is hurried by St. Louis Rams' Brandon Green (93) during the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
St. Louis Rams' Pisa Tinoisamoa, rear, cannot bring down Arizona Cardinals' Anquan Boldin (81) during the second quarter Sunday, Sept. 18, 2005 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. The Rams won 17-12 despite Boldin's game high 119 yards.
Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner, left, hugs former teammate St. Louis Rams' Isaac Bruce after the game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005 in St. Louis. Warner led the Cardinals to a 38-28 victory over the Rams.
Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald stiff-arms St. Louis Rams Mike Furrey after making a catch in the first half Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005 in St. Louis. Fitzgerald made nine catches for 104 yards and a touchdown as the Cardinals beat the Rams 38-28.
Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart (7) throws over St. Louis Rams' Pisa Tinoisamoa (50) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006, in St. Louis. Arizona won 34-20.
Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James (32) gains yards against the St. Louis Rams during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006.
St. Louis Rams Torry Holt, rear, pulls down a one handed catch for 13 yards as Arizona Cardinals Antrel Rolle defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday, Sept. 24, 2006.
Arizona Cardinals Reggie Wells (74) celebrates during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, in St. Louis.
St. Louis Rams running back Brian Leonard, left, is hit by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Eric Green after catching a pass for a 4-yard gain during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, in St. Louis. Arizona won the game, 34-31.
Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner (13) throws downfield against the St. Louis Rams during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, in St. Louis.
Arizona Cardinals running back Tim Hightower runs with the ball during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, in St. Louis.
Arizona Cardinals' Kurt Warner celebrates with fans as he leaves the field after the Cardinals victory over the St. Louis Rams in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 34-10 to clinch the NFC West Division title.
Arizona Cardinals' Darnell Dockett (90) returns a fumble recovery against the St. Louis Rams for a touchdown in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz.
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brandon Gibson, right, gets tangled up with Arizona Cardinals cornerback Michael Adams after catching a pass for a 16-yard gain during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in St. Louis. Arizona won 21-13.
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Donnie Avery, bottom, can't come up with a pass reception in the end zone as Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie defends during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in St. Louis. Arizona won 21-13.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Early Doucet (80) picks up yards during the second half of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-10.
Arizona Cardinals' Calais Campbell, middle, closes in on St. Louis Rams' Keith Null (9) for a sack as Rams' Mark Setterstrom, right, is unable to stop Campbell in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz.
St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, left, scrambles before being sacked for a 7-yard loss by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell, right, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, in St. Louis.
Arizona Cardinals' Tim Hightower, middle, runs past St. Louis Rams' Darian Stewart (20) and Craig Dahl (43) during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 19-6.
Arizona Cardinals' Tim Hightower (34) tries to get past St. Louis Rams' Chris Long (72) during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 19-6.
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brandon Gibson (11) is hit by Arizona Cardinals cornerback A.J. Jefferson (20) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) can't make the catch as St. Louis Rams strong safety Darian Stewart, rear, defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton, left, throws as St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Darell Scott defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in St. Louis.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Sam Acho celebrates after recovering a fumble during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in St. Louis.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) runs back the game winning touchdown during overtime of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 19-13.
St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, left, is sacked by Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, in St. Louis.
Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Paris Lenon (51) and inside linebacker Daryl Washington (58) get set to rush the passer during an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, in St. Louis.
St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins, left, breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Roberts during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, in St. Louis.
Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu, right, knocks the ball out of the hands of St. Louis Rams tight end Jared Cook after Cook caught a 47-yard pass during the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013, in St. Louis. Cardinals' Karlos Dansby recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.
Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) during the first half of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz.
St. Louis Rams' Kellen Clemens (10) tries to get away from Arizona Cardinals' John Abraham (55) as Abraham closes in for the sack during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 30-10.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) reacts after a first down gain against the St. Louis Rams during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 31-14.
St. Louis Rams quarterback Shaun Hill (14) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals' Larry Foote (50) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 in St. Louis.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown, rear, pulls in a pass over St. Louis Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey, right, is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 in St. Louis.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson celebrates after catching a 10-yard pass for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in St. Louis.
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Markus Golden (44) and defensive end Frostee Rucker (92) celebrates Golden's sack of St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) runs against the St. Louis Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams runs with the ball during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in St. Louis.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz.
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley, right, pushes off Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Kevin Minter during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Rams free safety Maurice Alexander, right, tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Los Angeles.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams free safety Lamarcus Joyner (20) during the first half an NFL football game at Twickenham Stadium in London, Sunday Oct. 22, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals running back Adrian Peterson (23) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Kayvon Webster (21) during the first half of an NFL football game at Twickenham Stadium in London, Sunday Oct. 22, 2017.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) throws against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (86) makes the catch as Los Angeles Rams inside linebacker Mark Barron (26) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz.
Rams wide receiver JoJo Natson, left, is tackled by Cardinals defensive back Rudy Ford during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Rams wide receiver Robert Woods, left, is tackled by Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) in action during a game against the the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Sep. 16, 2018 in Los Angeles.
Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles.
