No shortage of injuries for Raiders in loss to Ravens
OAKLAND, Calif. — Injuries left the Raiders thin at multiple positions Sunday.
The team was down to three cornerbacks after Antonio Hamilton (knee) exited early. Marshawn Lynch and Jalen Richard were the only running backs after fullback Jamize Olawale suffered a second-half concussion. Starting inside linebackers Cory James (knee) and Marquel Lee (ankle) did not finish, either. The Raiders turned to three backups, two of whom were undrafted rookies, in a 30-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Tight end Lee Smith briefly exited during the first quarter. He suffered a right knee injury, received treatment in the locker room and returned to finish the game. In his brief absence, the Raiders were down to Jared Cook and Clive Walford.
Hamilton, predominantly used on special teams, left the stadium on crutches. It is believed he suffered a torn meniscus, a source said.
Commonly, players undergo an MRI on Monday to help determine the exact nature and severity of ailments. The team will be busy in that regard.
Cooper quiet
Involving Amari Cooper in the offense continues to prove a challenge.
The Raiders wide receiver recorded an 8-yard catch on two targets Sunday. This latest quiet outing brings his three-game total to four catches for 23 yards and no touchdowns. It’s the least productive stretch of his career.
Cooper, 23, made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons.
“I wouldn’t say it was by design to have him not get more targets,” coach Jack Del Rio said. “The read went away from him a couple times. A couple of times, it went to him. I’d like to see him get the ball more.
“To me, it’s not about execution right now. I’m not going to sit here and get into how, why individuals aren’t getting or doing. I don’t see where that’s going to help us.”
Cooper entered Week 5 leading the NFL with seven drops.
He has caught 13 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown this season.
Notable
— Sunday’s game-changing play that wasn’t came in the third quarter. Safety Keith McGill narrowly missed a blocked punt, coming within an inch or two of striking the football. He pleaded to an official afterward that he was held. No penalty was called.
— As expected, quarterback Derek Carr was inactive because of a transverse process fracture to his lower back. The Raiders expect him to return Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. “Yeah,” Del Rio said. “I have that feel.”
— Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco took his time against the Raiders. Defensive end Khalil Mack received plenty of attention from blockers while failing to generate a single pressure in a game for the first time since the 2014 season finale, according to Pro Football Focus. Flacco wasn’t sacked once. Outside linebacker Bruce Irvin and defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. each had two of the team’s five pressures.
— The Raiders have yet to record an interception.
— In his return from a chest injury that forced a one-game absence, wide receiver Michael Crabtree caught six of eight passes for 82 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown. EJ Manuel overthrew him on a would-be second touchdown in the second half.
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Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @GehlkenNFL on Twitter.
