Derek Carr injury: 5 Raiders who must step up

By Brad Berreman | Dec 25, 2016

December 24, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is carted off the field after an injury against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

2. WR Amari Cooper

A true No. 1 wide receiver can be immune to a quarterback change, and the expected drop-off in talent from a starter to a backup. Cooper has become that go-to guy for the Raiders this season, with 78 receptions for 1,110 yards through 15 games.

Cooper had a relatively quiet day against the Colts on Saturday, with four catches (on six targets) for 72 yards. But he showed signs of instant rapport with Matt McGloin with a clutch reception to extend a fourth quarter drive after Carr was injured, which bodes very well for the immediate future.

The Raiders’ offense will obviously have to change some with Carr sidelined, to a more run-oriented, conservative approach. But Cooper’s involvement should not be altered much, and if the Raiders do defy the odds and go far in the playoffs he will have to be on center stage.

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