The Cleveland Browns are in a tough situation with one of its star players.
Amari Cooper, a University of Alabama alumnus, is not present at Browns’ mandatory minicamp.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Cooper is in the final year of his contract, but he could face fines for being absent from minicamp.
#Browns WR Amari Cooper, who is entering the final year of his contract, is not present for mandatory minicamp and is subject to fines.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 11, 2024
The 29-year-old was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Browns on March 16, 2022, in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick and a swap of sixth-round picks. Cooper has performed well in the last two years in Cleveland, totaling 1,000-plus receiving yards in 2022 and 2023.
He started a career-high 17 games in 2022 and scored a career-high nine touchdowns.
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The Miami (Fla.) native posted a career-best 1,250 yards receiving in 2023.
A former No. 4 overall selection of the 2015 NFL Draft, Cooper is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and seven-time 1,000-plus yard receiver.
He was a two-time 1,000-yard weapon for the Crimson Tide in 2012 and 2014, winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award, Paul Warfield Trophy, first-team All-SEC honors, Unanimous All-American honors, and SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2014. Cooper helped the Crimson Tide to a BCS National Championship (2012) and two SEC Championships in 2012 and 2014.
The former five-star is second all-time in school history for career receptions (228), receiving yards (3,463), and touchdowns (31).
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
