Raiders Week 9 Injury Report: Will Cooper Be There For Carr?
When the Oakland Raiders take the field Sunday evening in a prime time showdown (5:30 p.m., NBC) with the AFC West rival Denver Broncos on the other side of the field, more than just bragging rights are at stake.
With both teams coming into the game tied for first place in the AFC West, the winner assumes control of the division, albeit possibly for just a week or so. With a rematch scheduled for the final weekend of the regular season (Jan 1.) in Denver, much could change between now and then in the divisional race.
So, will the Raiders show up Sunday evening and dominate a team that has been rather solid despite the retirement of QB Peyton Manning during the off-season?
While the Broncos are the defending Super Bowl champions, they certainly did not come into the 2016 season as the clear-cut favorite to win the title. Despite questions at the quarterback spot and some others on both sides of the ball, Denver has been Denver to date this season, a team of relative consistency.
Carr Is Having Banner Season
Even though Oakland QB Derek Carr will be going up against one of the best defenses in the league (Broncos rank eighth overall in team defense to this point), the young Raiders' leader is off to a flying start through eight games.
With more than 2,000 yards passing and 17 TD's (only three INT's) under his belt so far this season, Carr will look to exploit Denver's secondary, one that still has its share of talent on it from a season ago.
Meantime, Oakland's running game, something that proven problematic at times throughout this season, must establish its presence, thereby allowing Carr to target talented wide receivers such as Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Oakland fans will be holding their breath up to game-time to see if Cooper is good-to-go. The second-year product out of Alabama saw limited practice on Friday due to a sore back.
If Oakland fails to get the running game going and/or Cooper (52 receptions, 787 yards, two TD's) is out or limited in what he can do receiving, Carr and his mates could be in for a rather long evening.
Broncos Winning Despite Rookie Quarterback
While Manning is now firmly retired, Denver has relied on Northwestern rookie Trevor Siemian to lead the way under center. Even though Siemian certainly does not appear to be a young Manning by any means, he has been rather steady for a young one in a pressure situation. Despite dealing with a left shoulder injury, Siemian participated fully in practices this week.
What has been Denver's biggest issue to date on the offensive side of the ball was losing talented running back C.J. Anderson over a week ago to a knee injury (meniscus damage). Although Denver management and players hope to have Anderson back towards the end of the regular season or for a playoff run, there are no guarantees he will return before next season's training camp.
In the meantime, the Broncos had 14 players with various issues listed on their injury report as of Friday.
Among the notables, corner Aqib Talib (back) is listed as out for Sunday, while center Matt Paradis (hip) and inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (hamstring) are both questionable. Veteran outside linebacker Demarcus Ware is expected to play despite being banged up (forearm).
Despite some injuries on both rosters, expect the Broncos and Raiders to leave it all on the field come Sunday night, with the winner having the upper-hand on an AFC crown for now.
Questionable:
(G/T) Vadal Alexander (Ankle) - Limited Pratice
(WR) Amari Cooper (Back) - Limited Practice
(C) Rodney Hudson (Knee) - Limited Practice
(RB) Taiwan Jones (Knee) - Limited Practice
(FB) Jamize Olawale (Ankle) - Limited Practice
(G/T) Kelechi Osemele (Knee) - Limited Practice
(T) Donald Penn (Non-injury issue) - Did Not Practice
(CB) Sean Smith (Shoulder) - Limited Practice
(T) Menelik Watson (Calf) - Limited Practice
Out:
(DT) Stacy McGee (Ankle) - Did Not Participate In Practice
Post Author: Dave Thomas.
