Cardinals offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper won't start vs. Chargers
Arizona Cardinals offensive guard Ted Larsen will start over 2013 first-round draft pick Jonathan Cooper in the team's season opener against San Diego Chargers on Monday.
Arizona drafter Cooper with the seventh pick in last year's draft and was placed on injured reserve after breaking his leg.
Larsen was brought in as a free-agent after spending the previous three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said that Cooper's draft status won't automatically earn him a starting spot.
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"I don't care about draft status," Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians said to the Arizona Republic. "I want to see the results on the field, and Ted Larsen's way outplayed (Cooper)."
Cooper has also been bothered by toe turf and only played in one preseason game this season.
Arians has been unimpressed with Cooper's play. Cooper did not appear in a game last season.
"His play before the injury wasn't stellar," Arians said. "It looked like a guy that was coming back off a year's injury. He's going to be a heck of a player. It's just a matter of time and taking the right approach with him and letting him get healthy."
- Scooby Axson
