All signs this week pointed to the Raiders being without wide receiver Amari Cooper for Sunday’s game against the Giants and the team confirmed that will be the case on Friday.
Cooper has been ruled out for the game as a result of the concussion and ankle injury he sustained in last Sunday’s victory over the Broncos. Cooper left the game after a big shot from Broncos safety Darian Stewart that earned Stewart a $24,308 fine from the league despite Cooper’s coach Jack Del Rio saying that Cooper ducked his head into the hit.
Oakland coach Jack Del Rio declined to say whether Cooper was still in the concussion protocol or if it was the sprained ankle that is the bigger issue. Cooper walked through the locker room Friday without a limp or his walking boot and was in good spirits but did not speak to reporters.
While the Raiders offense will be without one of its key players, the defensive secondary is hopeful of getting starting cornerback David Amerson back.
The Raiders are 27th in pass defense and are allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete a league-high 70.8 percent of passes — nearly 10 points higher than the NFL average.
The No. 4 overall pick of the 2015 draft has developed into one of the most talented wide receivers in the league and tallied 1,070 receiving yards as a rookie and 1,153 last year. His ability to catch high-point passes at 6'1" makes him a dangerous red-zone threat and gives quarterback Derek Carr a go-to option on almost every play.
The Raiders will have to turn elsewhere for their aerial production while Cooper is out. Seth Roberts, Cordarrelle Patterson and Johnny Holton will likely handle the bulk of the work against the Giants.
Still, Oakland is in the AFC playoff race, one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) in the AFC West, and could use one of its top playmakers back and healthy for the stretch run.
