The Buffalo Bills expect newly acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper to make his debut for the team Sunday against the visiting Tennessee Titans.
Cooper, 30, came to the Bills via trade from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday. Originally, the team was undecided on whether he would play against the Titans, but coach Sean McDermott sounded more certain of a plan Friday.
“We’ll see. I think so,” McDermott said when asked if Cooper would play this week for the Bills (4-2).
McDermott said he will confer with the coaching staff before making a final decision.
Coming off a career-high 1,250 receiving yards last year for Cleveland, Cooper got off to a slow start this season. In six games, he had 24 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns. His per-catch average of 10.4 yards is on pace for a career low and 7 yards under last year’s career-best average.
Now with his fourth NFL franchise, Cooper gets an upgrade at quarterback from Deshaun Watson to Josh Allen, who has thrown 156 passes this year without an interception.
“As far as playing with Josh, I’ve always been (a) fan of his game,” Cooper said this week. “I’m sure to see it up close and personal and play alongside him. I’m sure it’s going to be great. I’m just excited to turn a new chapter and to be able to contribute.”
The Bills haven’t had a go-to receiver this season after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in the offseason.
Buffalo also is expected to have defensive tackle Ed Oliver (hamstring) on the field. Oliver, 26, was inactive for each of the past two games. He has a sack among his five tackles in four games this season.
“I expect him at this point to play in the game,” McDermott said Friday of Oliver.
Running back James Cook (toe) also is expected to play, while running back Ray Davis is now limited after coming away with a calf injury in practice Thursday.
The Bills will stick with struggling kicker Tyler Bass after multiple kickers were brought in for a tryout Wednesday before Lucas Havrisik was signed to the practice squad. Bass, 27, has converted nine of 12 field goals and 18 of 20 extra points this season.
