Raiders’ Jack Del Rio expects Amari Cooper to return this year

ALAMEDA, Calif. —Wide receiver Amari Cooper will miss Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys because of an ankle injury, the Raiders said.

Cooper missed practice all week, but coach Jack Del Rio said the wide receiver has seen progress and figures he will return soon.

“I think he’s better than he was, but he’s going to be out this week,” Del Rio said on Friday. “I think we have a chance to get him back.”

Cooper initially was hurt in Week 13 after a hard hit by Denver Broncos safety Darian Stewart. He left the game with a concussion and an ankle injury.

Cooper came back two weeks later against the Kansas City Chiefs but aggravated the ankle in the second quarter.

The team has three games left in the regular season. In order for the Raiders to keep their playoff hopes alive, each is a must-win game.

Despite Cooper being out against the Cowboys on Sunday, Del Rio hopes to have him back for the final stretch.

“We’d rather not be focusing on what we’re not getting and focus on what we can do with the guys we have,” Del Rio said. “That’s how we’ve approached it.”

Notables

■ Wide receiver Amari Cooper (ankle), safety Obi Melifonwu (hip), defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. (ankle), and tight end Clive Walford (concussion/neck) were officially ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. All four players did not participate in practice this week.

■ Cornerback David Amerson (foot) is doubtful. Amerson missed the final two days of practice this week after being a limited participant Wednesday.

■ Defensive lineman Denico Autry (hand/ankle), offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (concussion) and defensive back Keith McGill (knee) are listed as questionable. Feliciano remains in concussion protocol, a team spokesman said.

Contact reporter Chris Booker at cbooker@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Bookerc94 on Twitter.