Report: Amari Cooper out Week 15, Obi Melifonwu out for season
By John Buhler
The Oakland Raiders have ruled out four players for Sunday’s game with the Dallas Cowboys, including wide receiver Amari Cooper and safety Obi Melifonwu.
The Oakland Raiders will have a huge season-deciding game on the slate for Sunday night. They will host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 15. However, the Raiders will reportedly be without four key players, including wide receiver Amari Cooper and safety Obi Melifonwu.
According to Michael Gehlken of The Las Vegas Review-Journal, the “Raiders officially have ruled out WR Amari Cooper (ankle) for Sunday vs. Cowboys. Same for DE Mario Edwards (ankle), S Obi Melifonwu (hip), TE Clive Walford (concussion, neck).”
Gehlken would add that Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio announced on Friday that Melifonwu has been placed on season-ending injured reserve, as he underwent his second surgery of the year, this time on his hip. Cornerback Antonio Hamilton will be activated for the Raiders on Sunday now that Melifonwu is out for the season.
Raiders officially have ruled out WR Amari Cooper (ankle) for Sunday vs. Cowboys. Same for DE Mario Edwards (ankle), S Obi Melifonwu (hip), TE Clive Walford (concussion, neck).
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 15, 2017
Jack Del Rio: S Obi Melifonwu has undergone hip surgery. Out for season. Second surgery for Melifonwu since August (knee). Tough year for rookie second-round pick.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 15, 2017
Jack Del Rio said Raiders will activate CB Antonio Hamilton (knee) from IR to play Sunday vs. Cowboys. Corresponding move to DB Obi Melifonwu’s placement on IR.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 15, 2017
This has been mostly a nightmare of a season for Raiders’ rookies. Their first two picks in cornerback Gareon Conley and now Melifonwu will end the season on IR. Conley played in just two games, while Melifonwu only played in five. Only defensive linemen Eddie Vanderdoes and middle linebacker Nicholas Morrow have played in all 13 games this season as a part of the Raiders’ rookie class.
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Melifonwu going on IR is rough, but having Cooper out yet again with injury has made for a miserable third NFL season for the guy out of Alabama. Cooper was a Pro Bowler in his first two seasons in the league. He hurt his ankle in Week 12’s win over the Denver Broncos, but had to miss Week 13 versus the New York Giants with the ankle injury and concussion.
Cooper was well enough to play in Week 14 versus the Kansas City Chiefs, but he re-injured his ankle early in the contest. His status for the rest of the season could be in jeopardy. Though he has had his issues with drops all season long, the Raiders will certainly feel Cooper’s absence on Sunday.
Next: 5 reasons Raiders can beat Cowboys in Week 15
Sunday is a must-win game for the Raiders. Should they lose, the Raiders will fall to 6-8 on the year. That won’t be good enough to make the AFC playoffs. It’s been a frustrating year for the entire team. Being without four starters on Sunday could make beating the Cowboys at home very difficult. Will the Raiders be able to still win anyway? We’ll just have to wait and see.