Sitting at 6-7. the Oakland Raiders find themselves dangerously close to missing the 2017 NFL playoffs. A combination of a lackluster offense paired with a leaky defense has sent the Raiders toward the bottom of the AFC West standings and they now face an uphill climb to get back into the division title race.
Amari Cooper, who many predicted to breakout prior to the 2017 NFL season, has struggled with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. Cooper is one of Derek Carr’s most explosive weapons in the offense, but will miss the team’s Week 15 tilt against the Dallas Cowboys.
According to Chris Booker of Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jack Del Rio expects to have the receiver back sometime this season:
I think he’s better than he was, but he’s going to be out this week,” Del Rio said on Friday. “I think we have a chance to get him back.”
With only three weeks left, Cooper has a limited window to return. However, the third-year player has largely struggled during the 2017 NFL season as he has had a hard time reeling in passes and creating separation downfield.
Regardless, Oakland will need to find an extra gear on both sides of the field if they hope to beat a solid Dallas team. Carr has said he will let it rip on offense, so it should be interesting to see how aggressive the silver and black start out come kickoff time.
