Team news: Buffalo Bills | Page 73

The Raiders might have suffered more of a loss than just on the scoreboard during their 33-13 season-opening setback to the Bengals.

Raiders starting quarterback Derek Carr injured his hand during the second quarter of Sunday's game and did not return.

Carr had completed seven passes for 61 yards and connected with rookie standout Amari Cooper for a 24-yard gain.

Matt McGloin replaced Carr at quarterback on the Raiders' ensuing two drives to close the half. The severity of Carr's injury isn't known yet but we'll keep you updated. Oakland hosts Baltimore in Week 2.

Raiders QB Derek Carr answered questions about WR Amari Cooper:

What was your reaction when the Raiders drafted Amari Cooper?
Derek Carr: Excitement. I knew we were going to get a good player with the No. 4. We were going to get someone good, and we did. I was very excited to see Amari come to this team.

What does he bring to this offense that was missing last year?
Carr: He’s really good in and out his breaks. He has good command of his route tree. He’s going to be a productive player for us.

What are your expectations for Cooper in Year 1? Do you think he can have an impact.
Carr: I think my expectations of him are the same as he has for himself. I just want to see him come in, compete and make plays, and I think we will see him do that.

The Raiders were hurting for WR help and seem to have helped Carr and the offense by signing Michael Crabtree and drafting Cooper. Cooper already ranks as a low-end WR2 on our list, an area you haven't often seen Raiders ranked in the recent past. Crabtree is having a nice camp and that should only help Cooper, who we project for a line of 75-1,042-6

Some Raiders notes from beat writer Jerry McDonald:

• Once the preseason begins, it should be one series and out for Derek Carr.

The Raiders simply can’t afford a third quarterback flip-flop in three years, and the only way this happens is if Carr gets hurt. It’s impossible to know how good Carr will be, but he’s light years ahead of Christian Ponder and Matt McGloin, who look to be in a dead-heat to be the backup.

• Latavius Murray is the lead back. Trent Richardson could get the treatment Tyrone Wheatley got in 1999 _ lots of preseason work to determine what he’s got in the tank.

Roy Helu Jr., although injured, appears to have a role. Undrafted free agent Michael Dyer was making things interesting before he started missing practice with an injury.

Really interested to see Taiwan Jones in a game situation. Back at running back, he’s had some sensational moments in camp. But beware - speed backs can dominate in non-tackling situations (see Darren McFadden, any year).

• Michael Crabtree has caught everything in sight and seems to have an immediate connection with Carr. Amari Cooper, despite the odd snaps when he looks like a rookie, is even-money to be a legit playmaker in his first season.

After that, it’s a jumble. Rod Streater is out with an illness the club has yet to diagnose. Andre Holmes has had his moments, but so has 6-foot-5 Kris Durham, third-year player Brice Butler and Kenbrell Thompkins. Plus anyone who can excel on special teams.

Many felt it was a good bet Murray would be the lead back and it doesn't seem like Richardson, or anyone else, will pass him. Helu appears like he'll get his normal third-down role like he had with the Redskins. Crabtree has had a good camp to this point and looks like a nice signing. Meanwhile Cooper seems to be up and down.

Amari Cooper possesses the natural talents that could help transform the Raiders' passing offense from a smorgasbord of faulty short threats and singles hitters to one with a playmaker boasting the ability to hit a home run at any moment.

Second-year quarterback Derek Carr sang high praise about his rookie target to 95.7 The Game on Tuesday.

"He (Cooper) is ridiculous in and out of his breaks," said Carr, via the team's official website. "His style of play is perfect for this league. He's good at getting on toes and creating separation. He's good at when the ball is in his hands making those fast-twitch movements to make a guy go one way so he can take it to the house. It's just little things that honestly people don't even notice."

"His work ethic is second to none," Carr added of Cooper. "I was throwing with him as soon as mini-camp was over so we can get more reps in, and our plan was to throw a couple more times, but he texted me that night. He said, 'Hey, let's throw at least three more times. I need to get this one route right.' Just him telling me that kind of stuff, it blew my mind."

"I think the sky's the limit for him, obviously," Carr said. "Hopefully I just get the ball into his hands so he can make the plays."

Cooper should immediately step into the team’s WR1 role. By all accounts he looks like the real deal, and his coaches and teammates have been effusive in their praise of the rookie. He is the safest of the first year wideouts, but touchdowns may be an issue for the offensively-challenged Raiders.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Raiders QB Derek Carr has been cleared for participation in minicamp, according to a source informed of his prognosis. Rapoport added that Carr might not throw at full strength during the minicamp practices, but he is expected to be "100 percent" for the start of training camp.

Carr has been battling an issue to his ring finger that has kept him from throwing regularly during the Raiders' offseason program. He threw a few short passes last week during OTAs, but has mostly handed the ball off when not watching from the sidelines.

Carr finished as the #20 fantasy quarterback as a rookie, but averaged only 12.5 FP, which was only a half-point higher than fellow rookie Blake Bortles. The Raiders drafted Amari Cooper, so Carr now has a bona fide WR1 to throw to, and that should help his fantasy stock. He will be in the QB streaming/committee mix in his second season provided he puts his finger injury behind him by training camp.

Early word on Raiders WR Amari Cooper, per team source: "Real deal. Almost no mental errors. Runs great routes, consistent route runner."

Oakland would not typically be a good landing spot for a top receiver, but now that the team seems to have a decent quarterback in Derek Carr, there's some potential here. Barring a surprise, he should start immediately since the Raider receiving corps doesn't boast a player of his pedigree. We currently have him ranked as a low-end WR2 since touchdowns may be tough to come by.

It was a mere five-yard flare pattern to a running back -- and a wobbly one at that -- but it was the closest thing to a forward pass seen from Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in three weeks.

Carr was mostly a spectator during Tuesday's organized team activity apart from a few short throws during drills as he recovers from a reported injury to the ring finger on his throwing hand.

The Raiders, citing team policy, have kept the details of Carr's condition to themselves and coach Jack Del Rio remained circumspect following practice.

There has been no information regarding the injury nor an update on when Carr might be full-go other than he's expected to be ready for training camp in late July. Whether Carr will do much throwing at the mandatory minicamp June 9-11 remains to be seen.

Carr finished as the #20 fantasy quarterback as a rookie, but averaged only 12.5 FP, which was only a half-point higher than fellow rookie Blake Bortles. The Raiders drafted Amari Cooper, so Carr now has a bona fide WR1 to throw to, and that should help his fantasy stock. He will be in the QB streaming/committee mix in his second season.