METAIRIE, La. -- It's not just fantasy football owners who were frustrated by Brandin Cooks' lack of involvement in the New Orleans Saints' 49-21 rout of the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
The Saints wide receiver hinted at his frustration in an Instagram post Monday about needing to become a "businessman" after he was targeted zero times in 45 snaps on Sunday.
Without Cooks' involvement, the Saints (5-6) posted a season-high 49 points and racked up 555 yards on Sunday.
Sources have indicated throughout this season that Cooks has felt a growing frustration with his usage -- mostly the idea that he is used too often as a clear-out receiver instead of as a primary option.
Cooks' discontentment also came up earlier when he had a total of five catches for 44 yards in Weeks 3 and 4.
Cooks (5-10, 189 pounds) has two of the four longest receptions in the NFL this season -- a 98-yard touchdown in Week 1 and an 87-yard touchdown in Week 6. He has 51 catches for 736 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Cooks, however, ranks third on the Saints in both receptions per game (4.6) and targets per game (6.8) behind rookie Michael Thomas (5.9 receptions, 7.5 targets per game) and third-year pro Willie Snead (5.1 receptions, 6.9 targets).
Cooks is tied for 38th in the NFL with a total of 75 targets this season and is tied for 36th with 51 catches.
He is under contract through 2017, with the Saints holding an option for 2018.