Former South Carolina wide receiver Jalen Brooks began this season with the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad but has spent the past several weeks in an up-and-down, practice-squad-to-active-roster, relationship with the Arizona Cardinals.
Now, it looks like the back and forth will end, as the Cardinals announced Brooks’ signing to the active roster. The move corresponds with fellow receiver Andre Baccellia’s move to injured reserve.
Practice squad players can be elevated just twice during a season before becoming a full-time roster member. Brooks’ new status means that he should remain on the active roster, especially considering Arizona’s current injury issues at the wide receiver position.
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Despite his previous designation as a practice squad player, Brooks has practiced with the active roster for some time and played in the team’s two most recent games. He has also played an important role for the Cardinals in those contests.
In the past two weeks, Brooks has played over 70 snaps for Arizona’s offense. He has pulled down three catches for 51 yards. He has been the team’s primary kick returner, averaging nearly 25 yards per return attempt. Against the Los Angeles Rams on December 7th, the third-year pro earned one of PFF’s highest grades on offense.
Brooks likely will start on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. If he does, it will mark his first start since 2024 with the Cowboys. With three regular-season games remaining, Brooks is just nine receptions, 126 yards, and one touchdown shy of setting new career-high numbers across the board.
During his South Carolina football career, Brooks totaled 58 receptions for 785 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown and was a special teams contributor. The Dallas Cowboys selected Brooks in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.