Raiders Final Injury Report: Karl Joseph Doubtful, Amari Cooper, 7 Others Questionable Before Week 17 At Denver Broncos

Already missing superstar quarterback Derek Carr due to a broken leg, the Oakland Raiders may head into their crucial Week 17 showdown at the Denver Broncos without stud rookie safety Karl Joseph, the team announced Friday afternoon.

Seven other players, including top receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, also made the final injury report before the postseason.

While Oakland has already secured a playoff berth for the first time since the 2002 season, it could overtake New England for the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs if it beats Denver and the Patriots lose to Miami. The AFC West title, which has also alluded the Raiders for 14 years, is also on the line.

Joseph (toe), who has been in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year for much of the season, was limited in Friday’s practice after also being restricted on Thursday and a non-participant on Wednesday. The 23-year-old has appeared in 12 games this season while recording 60 tackles, six passes defensed and an interception. However, it would appear Oakland will exercise caution and save him for the playoffs as Denver’s passing offense has been poor all season.

Joseph hasn’t appeared in a game since suffering the injury during Week 13’s 38-24 victory over Buffalo.

Defensive backs Reggie Nelson and David Amerson, notching a combined 25 passes defensed and seven interceptions, should be able to quell Joseph's possible absence.

Carr is listed as out after undergoing successful surgery on his broken right leg, but Oakland already knew he would be six-to-eight weeks. Backup quarterback Matt McGloin is expected to start in Carr’s place against Denver’s top-ranked passing rushing unit.

Cooper, as well as receiver Andre Holmes (both shoulder), Crabtree, (ankle), defensive tackle Stacy McGee (groin), offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele (ankle), running back Jalen Richard (shoulder), and linebackers Perry Riley (hamstring) and Malcolm Smith (hamstring) were all listed as questionable.

Other than Osemele, who didn’t participate in Wednesday and Thursday’s sessions but was limited on Friday, all others listed on the report were limited participants throughout the week.

Cooper, Richard, Crabtree and Holmes have yet to miss a game all season, which could help McGloin as he looks for his first win as a starter since his rookie season in 2013.