Cooper feeling ‘better,’ but will sit vs. Cowboys

Raiders receiver Amari

Cooper will not play Sunday against the Cowboys after reinjuring his left ankle last Sunday in a game against the Chiefs.

Head coach Jack Del Rio said it’s the Raiders’ hope that Cooper will play again this season.

“I think he’s better than he was,” Del Rio said Friday. “He’s going to be out this week. But I think we have a chance to get him back.”

Cooper originally suffered an ankle injury and concussion Nov. 26 against Denver and missed the next game against the Giants. He re-injured the ankle blocking on a running play last Sunday as running back DeAndre Washington was tackled into the back of Cooper’s left leg.

After eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first two NFL seasons, Cooper has 42 catches for 499 yards this year. He was targeted just once in Sunday’s game at Kansas City before exiting the game.

Raiders receivers combined for 15 receptions and 110 yards in the loss, in which their offense was shut out for three quarters. Offensive coordinator

Todd Downing this week characterized the receiver play as inconsistent.

“There were spurts of what we’re looking for and then there were spurts of falling short of that from an execution and technique standpoint,” Downing said. “We just need to keep striving to be consistent. We need to hit our route depths. We need to hit our landmarks horizontally on the field. We need to make plays when we’re given the opportunity to make plays.” Downing cited receiver

Johnny Holton, who could play a larger role with Cooper out, as “a microcosm” of the Raiders’ offense this year. Holton has three touchdowns and an average of 24.2 yards per catch that leads the team, but also has dropped several passes and lost a fumble in each of the past two games.

“We have flashes of really good production and executing well and then flashes or spurts where we’re not exactly executing the way we want,” Downing said. “Johnny’s kind of a microcosm of that.

“And so I would say to him — and have said to him and to the team — the message we preach is let’s look for consistency and let’s look for doing the little things right.” Injury report: Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr., who injured his ankle in the first quarter against the Chiefs, and tight end Clive Walford (concussion) were also ruled out for Sunday’s game against Dallas. Cornerback David Amerson (foot) is doubtful. Defensive end Denico Autry (hand/ ankle), guard Jon Feliciano (concussion) and safety Keith McGill (knee) are questionable. The Cowboys will be without linebacker Justin Durant (concussion), defensive tackle David Irvin (concussion) and cornerback Orlando Scandrick (back). They list six players as questionable, including linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring/back) and receiver Brice

Butler (foot).