Jack Del Rio: Hit On Cooper ‘Doesn’t Need To Be Part Of Our Game’
Nov 27, 2017, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:21 am
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio was clearly upset about the defenseless hit on WR Amari Cooper during the second quarter of the team’s victory over the Broncos.
He let the media know it after the game and stated that there’s no place in the NFL for hits like that.
“It was a vicious hit,” Del Rio said, per NBCSports. “It’s the kind we’re trying to remove from our game, quite frankly. You see less and less of those. I’m sure the league will take a hard look at it. Those are the kinds of impact hits that don’t need to be a part of our game right now. The guy is clearly defensive less and got targeted right in the head. There’s a chance to hit in the strike zone and be somewhere else and not be there like that.”
Big hit by Stewart and Amari Cooper was left motionless on the ground. scary…. pic.twitter.com/PdoUsRDiD5
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) November 26, 2017
Cooper was knocked out cold during on a first-and-10 play on Denver territory late in the first half. He caught a pass over the middle and collided with Broncos safety Darian Stewart.
Cooper ducked his head and shoulders down to avoid a direct shot. Stewart put his head down, but his shoulder and side rammed into Cooper in the back of the head and neck area.
Players quickly motioned for the medical staff as Cooper laid motionless
Although Del Rio assured his wide receiver is okay, Cooper is currently in concussion protocol.
