The Las Vegas Raiders were dealt an unexpected blow when wide receiver Amari Cooper decided to retire on Thursday. The team has now made a roster move to replace Cooper.
According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Raiders are promoting wide receiver Justin Shorter from the practice squad and signing him to the 53-man roster.
A former fifth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2023, Shorter has played in just 10 games during his career, all of which came with the Raiders in 2024.
Shorter did not record an offensive stat in those 10 contests. He played 25 snaps on offense and another 126 on special teams.
Cooper's retirement was unexpected, to say the least. He officially signed with the Raiders on Aug. 26 and was out of football just a week and a half later.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Cooper told the Raiders "he no longer has the desire to play," and Tashan Reed of The Athletic reported that Cooper was "unimpressive in practice and didn't have the look of a difference maker."
With Cooper gone, rookie Dont'e Thornton's path to significant snaps is fully clear. Thornton was listed as a starter on the team's depth chart even after the Cooper signing, but it was thought the veteran would take some snaps away from him.
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