ALAMEDA –- Raiders rookie receiver Amari Cooper was extremely limited in last week’s win over San Diego. He played just 21 snaps, largely as a decoy until the Chargers realized the No. 4 overall pick wasn’t his usual, explosive self.
Head coach Jack Del Rio said then that Cooper should be far healthier for the light work and the three-day weekend given following that Christmas Eve affair.
Cooper was largely limited in practice heading into Sunday’s season finale against Kansas City. Whether that makes Cooper more effective against the Chiefs remains to be seen.
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“We’ll find out,” Del Rio said. “I know the layoff helped a lot of guys out. Our injury report got a little smaller. Getting to that Thursday night game is hard, but playing the week after with 10 days off is a good thing. We got through it okay.”
A big game could vault Cooper up the all-time Raiders receiving list, certainly into the top 15 or higher. He has 1,050 yards and six touchdowns, a strong first season limited in the final weeks while playing through a nagging foot issue.
Cooper was officially considered probable on Friday’s injury report. So were edge rusher Khalil Mack and safety Charles Woodson entering this final game.
Cornerbacks Neiko Thorpe (neck) and DJ Hayden are questionable.
NFL
Chiefs edge rushers Justin Houston (knee) and Tamba Hali (thumb, knee) are questionable with injuries as well.
Raiders injury report
Questionable: CB Neiko Thorpe (neck), CB DJ Hayden (ankle)
Probable: S Charles Woodson (shoulder), WR Amari Cooper (foot), DE Khalil Mack (knee)
Chiefs injury report
Questionable: S Husain Abdullah (concussion), OT Jah Reid (knee), LB Tamba Hali (thumb/knee), LB Justin Houston (knee)
Probable: OL Jeff Allen (ankle), LB Dee Ford (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin), RB Spencer Ware (rib), WR Albert Wilson (shin)