Varying Degrees of Optimism on Three Ailing Raiders Going Into Christmas Game

Amari Cooper has been on the comeback trail before. Not long ago, in fact. The Raiders receiver was concussed and sprained an ankle during a vicious collision with Broncos safety Darian Stewart back in Week 12.

He sat out the next week with those ailments, but pushed to play a pivotal contest at Kansas City. Concussion-like symptoms were gone, his ankle was on the mend and Cooper was ready to make an impact. He didn't last long. Cooper's ankle got rolled while blocking for the run, an action that put him back on the shelf.

It was a disappointing turn to be sure.

"To feel like you're ready to play, to put in all that time in treatment only to get hurt again can be tough mentally, but it's football," Cooper said. "There's a risk of getting hurt on every play."

The setback didn't temper Cooper's resolve. He kept pushing to return despite the Raiders having little left to play for. He missed another week, but practiced twice this week and is formally questionable to play Monday night's game in Philadelphia, but there's significant optimism he'll play the Eagles.

"He's done pretty well," Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said after Friday's practice. "There's a good chance we'll have him."

Center Rodney Hudson's also considered questionable, but his playing status remains in doubt. He played through kidney stones last week and is also dealing with an ankle injury.

"It remains a question," Del Rio said. "He's a pretty tough guy. I think he's already shown that."

The Raiders hope Hudson can go, especially with backup center Jon Feliciano on injured reserve with a concussion. Practice squad promotion James Stone and recent signing Ian Silberman would step in if Hudson can't go.

It seems likely cornerback David Amerson misses an eighth consecutive game. He injured a foot in Week 7 against Kansas City and hasn't been back since. He returned to practice for a while, but has been relegated to side work the past few weeks. The Raiders haven't given up on a possible return – they could've placed him on IR by now – but it remains unlikely he'll go against the Eagles. This prolonged absence has impacted the Raiders secondary.

"I don't know what to say on that one. I have to trust the trainers and the doctors to do their thing with him. Honestly, I feel like I've been waiting forever. It's been a while. Little bit frustrating because he's one of our better corners. To not have him, a little bit frustrating."

Also, the Raiders placed tight end Clive Walford on injured reserve with a concussion and promoted practice squad tight end Pharaoh Brown from the practice squad.

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