Metairie, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - The New Orleans Saints have placed rookie wide receiver Brandin Cooks on season-ending injured reserve with a broken thumb.
Cooks apparently injured his thumb in the Saints' Week 11 loss to Cincinnati, but he never left the game. He finished with five catches for 50 yards. Before being placed on IR, it was expected that Cooks could return for Week 16.
In 10 games, Cooks caught 53 passes for 550 yards, including three touchdowns, all of which ranked second on the Saints. He also had 73 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries and was the team's primary punt returner.
The Oregon State product was the Saints' first-round pick in the 2014 Draft. His 53 catches led all rookie receivers, and his 550 receiving yards ranked fifth.
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