Cooper could play Monday
As the Raiders began practice Thursday following a day off, receiver Amari Cooper was on a side field, stretching and running under the watchful eye of a trainer.
Cooper was among 11 players who did not participate in Thursday’s practice. The Raiders do hope to have Cooper active Monday for their primetime Christmas Day game against the Eagles, head coach Jack Del Rio said.
“We hope to get him back to practice and have a good week of practice and then be ready to go Monday night,” Del Rio said.
Cooper originally suffered a concussion and ankle injury Nov. 26 against the Broncos. He missed one game before returning against Kansas City, reinjured the ankle while blocking on a running play and was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.
Cooper has 42 catches for 499 yards this season. Del Rio said his absence has been noticeable.
“You’re covered differently when Coop isn’t demanding (defenses) roll to him, or the attention that he normally gets,” Del Rio said. “Not having Coop, you feel the difference because he’s such a dynamic, explosive playmaker for us.” Long list: Linebacker Bruce Irvin appeared on the Raiders’ injury report with a concussion and did not practice Thursday. A team spokesman confirmed Irvin is in league concussion protocol.
Guard Jon Feliciano and tight end Clive Walford also missed practice with concussions. Feliciano is the Raiders’ backup center, and Del Rio said his status is the reason the team promoted center James Stone from the practice squad Wednesday.
Starting center Rodney Hudson, who played through a kidney stone against Dallas, also did not practice Thursday. Del Rio said he expects Hudson to play at Philadelphia.
“He’s a pretty tough guy,” Del Rio said. “I would say the chances are pretty good, yeah.”
Cornerback David Amerson (foot), defensive linemen Denico Autry (hand/ankle) and Treyvon Hester (ankle), safety Keith McGill (knee/ illness), defensive end Khalil Mack (rest) and left tackle Donald Penn (foot, out for season), also did not practice. Tight end Jared Cook (wrist), defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (ankle) and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (hip) were limited. An honor: Left guard Kelechi Osemele was the only one of the Raiders’ four Pro Bowl selections to address reporters Thursday. Osemele, Hudson and Penn were all selected to the all-star game for a second consecutive year. Mack earned his third straight selection.
“Obviously, we’re happy about it,” Osemele said. “Wish we would be playing for something else in the postseason, but at this point, it’s just an honor to be recognized by our peers for the hard work we put in this year. Definitely unexpected, kind of a surprise, but great news all around.” Lynch fined: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the league fined running back Marshawn Lynch for his actions toward a referee at the end of Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys.
After Derek Carr’s dive for the end zone resulted in a fumble and touchback, Lynch appeared to remove his helmet and yell at an official. He was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct. The league website lists a $24,309 fine for a first verbal offense against an official.
Lynch was suspended one game this season for making physical contact with an official.