Alex Cook delivered the biggest defensive play from Week 2 of the 2026 preseason, jumping Spencer Rattler's pass and returning it 100 yards for a touchdown.
The play stood out in a highlight roundup that featured several long gains, touchdowns and strong special teams moments across the league, but Cook's interception return was the rare score that immediately changed the tone of the sequence.
A rare preseason touchdown
A 100-yard interception return is the kind of play that gets attention no matter the setting, and it was especially notable because it came in preseason action. For the Los Angeles Rams, it also put a defensive back in the spotlight with one of the most memorable plays of the week.
Spencer Rattler was on the wrong end of the turnover, though the larger takeaway is simply that Cook made the kind of break on the ball that can swing a game instantly. In a roundup filled with explosive plays, this was the one that traveled the full length of the field and ended in the end zone.
For readers following Saints preseason work, Rattler remains part of the conversation as the offense continues to build rhythm, including his connection with Barion Brown in other preseason snaps. But on this particular play, Cook was the player who finished the rep with points.
Why it matters
Preseason highlights are often about individual moments more than full-game results, and this one fit that mold. Cook's 100-yard touchdown is the kind of turnover that can lift a defense, energize a sideline and make a roster bubble player hard to ignore.
Rattler's interception is also a reminder that preseason football often comes down to clean execution on a handful of snaps. One mistake can turn into a long return the other way, and this one did exactly that in Week 2 of the 2026 preseason.
