Raiders Notes: Amari Cooper, Derek Carr, Injuries

Amari Cooper

The Raiders traded away WR Amari Cooper to the Cowboys on Monday for a 2019 first-round pick.

Regarding the move, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie said they couldn’t pass up the first-round pick.

“We made a trade today to the Dallas Cowboys,” McKenzie said, per Michael Gehlken. “It’s a trade that we feel it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass on to get a first-round pick. In this business here, I thought that was invaluable for me. It was something I felt like I had to do.”

According to McKenzie, calls really started coming in after the report from this past weekend.

“There were teams calling at the beginning of the season, not only on Amari but a couple other players, too,” McKenzie said, per Gehlken. “[It] got a little haywire. All kinds of proposals were coming at me.”

• McKenzie said Cowboys executive VO Stephen Jones called him last Friday for the first time and told him to expect additional contact on Monday. McKenzie added that the first time he believed they were going to trade Cooper was “this morning.” (Michael Gehlken)
• McKenzie admitted that more trades could be coming: “There’s always opportunities elsewhere for trades. We’ve got another week. … But we’re not tanking this season. I want to win bad. …I’m not going to say anyone is untouchable.” (Michael Gehlken)
• As for his status with the team moving forward, McKenzie said: “Gruden and I, we work together very well. Let’s get no mistakes about him pushing me out. That’s not happening. Me not being able to work with Gruden? That’s furthest from the truth. OK? … There are times that I want to make a statement: ‘Really?’” (Michael Gehlken)
• Raiders HC Jon Gruden tells Chris Mortensen of the Cooper deal: “I hate to see good players go.. I was on the practice field when Reggie came to me and said Cowboys would do this for a No. 1 and I said let’s do it. We now have five No. 1 picks in the next two years so I’m excited about that.”

Derek Carr

• Chris Mortensen asked Gruden about QB Derek Carr‘s status and he said: “We’re not trading anyone else. We’re trying to stay competitive and figure out a way to compete this next game (against the Colts).”
• McKenzie laughed when asked earlier in the day if anyone was untouchable, but wouldn’t say Carr isn’t available. (Vic Tafur)

Injuries

• Raiders placed RB Marshawn Lynch on injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• Raiders LG Kelechi Osemele (knee) is expected to return for Sunday’s game against the Colts after missing the past two games. (Michael Gehlken)
• Raiders DT Eddie Vanderdoes (knee/PUP) is expected to resume practice this week, which opens a three-week window of time for being to be added to their active roster. (Michael Gehlken)