Oakland Raiders: Offense equipped to compensate for wide receiver absences
The Oakland Raiders may take the field without two starting wideouts on Sunday against the New York Giants. Who’s likely to step up in their places?
Typically, when a team loses two 1,000-yard receivers, there’s a legitimate concern for the passing attack. However, the Oakland Raiders have enough talent to overcome such absences in their offense.
On Sunday as they face off with the New York Giants in Week 13, the Raiders could well be without both Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. Cooper suffered a sprained ankle and a concussion last week against the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, Crabtree was initially suspended for two games for his brawl with Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib.
The league reduced Crabtree’s suspension to one game, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Michael Crabtree suspension reduced to one game, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 29, 2017
There’s still a chance for wide receiver Amari Cooper to suit up on Sunday against the New York Giants, but it’s a long shot. He suffered a concussion and a sprained ankle on the same play in the previous outing, per Schefter:
On the play he suffered a concussion Sunday, Raiders WR Amari Cooper also sprained his ankle, per source. To play Sunday vs. Giants, Cooper will have to clear concussion protocol and recover from sprained ankle.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 27, 2017
Crabtree and Cooper have racked up 1,105 yards and 11 touchdowns combined through 12 weeks. Assuming the injuries keep the third-year receiver out for at least a game, Seth Roberts and Cordarrelle Patterson will move into starting roles. The Raiders also added wide receiver Isaac Whitney to the active roster, per Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Michael Gehlken:
Raiders WR Isaac Whitney learned today for certain he’ll be playing Sunday vs. Giants. Undrafted rookie from USC promoted from practice squad.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) November 28, 2017
On game day, quarterback Derek Carr will have more than backup wide receivers filling voids in the passing attack. Tight end Jared Cook leads the team with 536 receiving yards and should come close to or reach the 100-yard mark. The Giants allow an average 8.2 catches and 68.5 yards per contest, per Football Outsiders.
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Running backs Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington have caught 49 passes for 379 yards and two touchdowns this season. The duo should see an expanded role while ball-carrier Marshawn Lynch handles the majority load in rush attempts. In the previous outing, Beast Mode also hauled in three passes for 44 yards as a threat in the short pass attack.
If offensive coordinator Todd Downing decides to dig deep into the playbook, he could add Clive Walford to the mix. Two-tight end sets would further exploit the Giants’ weakness in tight end coverage.
The Raiders’ early struggles on offense don’t exactly bring confidence in the ability to overcome losing two starters, but Carr has quality secondary options. Don’t expect many explosive plays. However, Downing could take advantage of short and intermediate throws against a thin linebacker corps struggling with multiple injuries.
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On Sunday, Carr should have openings in the middle of the field. Cook and the running backs catching out of the backfield will have catch-and-run opportunities to extend gains. Good ball placement, patience and little to no drops can keep the offense moving downfield.